MMH continues CEO search

After careful deliberation, the East Phillips County Hospital District Board of Directors has decided to extend the search for a new chief executive officer for Melissa Memorial Hospital.

The previous CEO, Trampas Hutches, left MMH on Dec. 24, 2019, to accept a position with Franklin Community Health in Farmington, Maine.

Cathy Harshbarger will continue to serve as interim CEO while the search continues. Once a CEO is identified, she will return to her role as chief clinical officer.

“We are at a unique time in the history of our hospital, the landscape of rural health care and skill sets required to lead us forward. We are grateful for the recent external candidates we’ve had a chance to meet, and we wish them all the best in their career journeys,” said Steve Young, chair of the board. “We (the board) are in full agreement to continue the search process.”

Young added, “Cathy Harshbarger has made significant contributions in her time with Melissa Memorial, both as CCO and interim CEO, and we are fortunate that she has agreed to continue serving as our interim CEO. We are confident that our outstanding medical staff, hospital leadership and staff will give her their full and unwavering support in the upcoming weeks to continue to building on our strong foundations, while also addressing some key issues and opportunities we face.”

A regular board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25, and will be reported on in next week’s Enterprise.

For additional information, contact a board member or Tony Blake at tony@strategicimpactgroup.net or 303-808-0210.