Lutheran Health CEO will hire new chief, but stay on board

The head of Lutheran Health Network in northern Indiana will hire a new CEO while stepping aside to spend more time on strategic initiatives as Lutheran’s regional vice president.

Mike Poore took over as CEO of Lutheran, an eight-hospital network owned by Community Health Systems, in August 2017 after CHS fired the previous CEO, Brian Bauer.

Poore transferred to Fort Waynebased Lutheran from his role as operations vice president for CHS’ Professional Services Corp.

Since his move, Poore has worked to improve staff morale and relations with physicians and the community after a group of disgruntled local physicians tried and failed to buy out the profitable Lutheran hospitals in 2017.

In November, Bauer, who went to work for IU Health as a consultant, settled a lawsuit with CHS and Lutheran, which claimed the former CEO breached his contract by defaming the system, sharing confidential information and luring IU Health to the area. The system has opened a clinic and announced plans for additional facilities.