Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital chief resigns

Joe Gilene has resigned as chief operating officer of Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital to take an administrative job at a children’s hospital in Charlotte, N.C.

Gilene arrived at Sacred Heart in March 2002 from Cincinnati, where he had worked for another hospital devoted to treating children.

In his new post, Gilene will work at the flagship hospital of Carolinas HealthCare System to help expand its children’s hospital. His resignation was accepted Oct. 15.

Sacred Heart spokeswoman Maureen Goins described Gilene’s departure as voluntary.

“This was Joe’s own personal agenda,” she said.

Gilene was not available for an interview.

Carolinas is among the largest hospital systems in the country. Its hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other operations have a combined 4,250 patient beds and about 25,000 employees.

Its Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, which includes the children’s hospital, is the largest property, with 777 beds.

Goins sought to discount what she said are persistent rumors that Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital is performing poorly.

“All aspects are going well and meeting projections,” she said.

Administrators say the number of patient days in the Children’s Hospital are expected to climb 23 percent from 2002 to 2004.

Sacred Heart spent $40 million on the Children’s Hospital project, which is one of several large capital spending projects undertaken by hospitals on the lower South Hill in recent years.

In a memo circulated to directors and managers, Sacred Heart president Mike Wilson said Gilene “admirably led the building and growth of facilities, programs and professional staff during this period.”

Peggy Mangiaracina, an associate vice president and director of children’s services for Sacred Heart, will take on many of Gilene’s duties for now.