Empire Health administrator resigns after two months on job

A top-level manager at Empire Health Services has resigned, barely two months after taking over day-to-day operations at the Spokane hospital system awaiting sale.

Philip G. Dionne, who started work in May as chief administrative officer, resigned July 6, Empire officials said Monday.

“Phil has moved along to pursue other opportunities that aligned with his goals,” Board Chairman Ronald F. McKay said in a statement, adding that his depature was voluntary.

Dionne’s duties will be assumed by Robert L. Quist, 62, who was hired recently as the chief executive for Valley Hospital and Medical Center, McKay said.

Dionne, 57, was hired to supervise daily operations of Deaconess Medical Center, Valley Hospital and other services of the nonprofit hospital system that recently announced a tentative deal with Community Health Systems Inc., of Tennessee.

At the time, Dionne’s hiring was billed as a way to allow Chief Executive Officer Jeff A. Nelson to focus on new financial partners or a potential sale.

Becky Swanson, a spokeswoman for Empire, said she couldn’t say whether Dionne’s departure could signal changes for other top managers.

Empire and Community Health Systems signed a nonbinding intent-to-sell agreement last month.

Officials have said it could be August or later before final action is taken.