Shriners removes top officers

The three top officers for Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane have been replaced with interim administrators effective immediately, the hospital announced Monday afternoon.

Citing the confidentiality of personnel issues, the hospital declined to explain why administrator Charles Young, chief of staff Ron Ferguson and director of patient care services Cheri Hollenback were replaced.

“Personnel issues are confidential, but it’s something that has been brewing for a while,” said Maggie Crabtree, the hospital’s public relations director.

Crabtree said the change in leadership had nothing to do with the finances or direction of the hospital, which has been providing free pediatric orthopedic care for children in Spokane since 1924.

However, the chairman of the hospital’s local board of governors, Larry Tassie, said the change followed a recent review by representatives of the national and local boards. The Shriners, a national philanthropic fraternal organization, has headquarters in Tampa, Fla.

“We were reviewing complaints and information received from employees,” Tassie said.

The Shriners Hospital Board of Directors, Board of Trustees and local board joined in announcing the interim officers.

Craig Patchin, administrator of the Salt Lake City Shriners Hospital, will serve as interim administrator. Paul Caskey, assistant chief of staff at the Spokane hospital, will act as chief of staff. Tim Nevins, manager of care coordination and outpatient services in Spokane, will be the interim director of patient services. Caskey and Nevins begin their new jobs immediately. Patchin will arrive in Spokane on Feb. 9 after celebrating his father’s 90th birthday, Crabtree said.

Tassie said it will be some time before the local board chooses a new administrator from a list of candidates provided by the national board.

“It will be a nationwide search, but with emphasis on Northwest candidates,” he said.

Young had been administrator since 1994. Ferguson had been chief of staff at the hospital since 1997. Hollenback had been director of patient care services since 1996. None could be reached for comment Monday.

The departure of the officers appeared to have come suddenly, even for Tassie.

“Of course, we are surprised and hurt that it went this route, but having sat in on these meetings, it had to be done,” Tassie said.

Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane moved to its new location at 911 W. Fifth Ave. in March 1991. With an annual operating budget of more than $12 million, it accepts nearly 1,000 new patients each year and performs 761 operations.

Crabtree said the hospital leadership and staff expect “no disruption in the care our patients receive” as a result of the changes.