Allen County Regional Hospital is having a change of leadership in advance of a lease with Saint Lukes Health System of Kansas City.
Tony Thompson, who had served as the hospitals CEO since late 2015, left his position at the hospital effective Monday. Larry Peterson, chief financial officer, will serve as interim CEO, likely leading the hospital through an expected transition with Saint Lukes.
The hospitals board of trustees hasnt finalized a lease agreement, but expect to do so by the end of the month. Saint Lukes could take over the facility as early as Jan. 1, 2020. The current management contract with Hospital Corporation of America expires at the end of June, 2020.
Thompsons departure was a mutual agreement, Loren Korte, board of trustees president, said. Thompson did not seem interested in staying with Allen County through the transition, Korte said.
Thompson could not be reached for comment.
HCA pays the salaries of ACRHs top three administrators: Thompson, Peterson and Chief Nursing Officer Patty McGuffin. Peterson was willing to stay at ACRH through the transition. McGuffin is expected to be offered a position with Saint Lukes, Korte said, though its not yet clear what the position will entail.
Korte met with ACRH department heads Monday morning to discuss the administrative change.
This isnt the first time Peterson has served as interim CEO. In fact, hes filled the role multiple times, as the hospital changed its management structure and built a new hospital building in 2013.
