Renown Health: Executives Abandon Ship Amid Outsourcing Waves
Renown Health has been facing a turbulent period as numerous top executives have left the organization since 2021. This exodus has drawn comparisons to the sinking of the Titanic, with many wondering what conditions at Renown Health are driving these leaders to abandon ship.
The departures include long-time executives such as Mischelle Sanchez Bickley, Chief Human Resources Officer, who left in June 2022 after 20 years with Renown, and Ty Windfeldt, Chief Operating Officer Health Services, who left in September 2021 after a remarkable 26-year tenure. These departures are particularly concerning as they come from individuals with deep institutional knowledge and commitment to Renown Health.
Other notable exits include Sy Johnson, President and Chief Operating Officer, and Thomas Graf, Chief Clinical and Quality Officer, both of whom left in January 2023. Erik Olson, CEO of Renown Regional, departed in July 2022, and Jenna Moffat, Head of Project Management, left in March 2023 after 13 years with the organization. The IT department also saw significant losses, with Mike Magera, VP of IT, and Mitchell Fong, VP of Virtual Care, both leaving in February 2023, the latter after 10 years with Renown.
The timing of these departures has raised questions about the underlying issues within Renown Health. Many of these exits coincided with the hospital's decision to outsource various departments, a move that has been met with considerable internal and external criticism. The outsourcing strategy, aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency, may have inadvertently created a destabilizing environment, leading these leaders to "see the writing on the walls" and seek opportunities elsewhere.
Executives who have recently left include Dawit Hadgu, Director of Capital Construction, who departed in August 2022, Reagan Jordan, Director of Clinical Engineering, who left in May 2023, Chris Baker, Director of Facilities, who exited in October 2023 after 10 years, and Mel Morris, Director of Transfer and Operations Center, who left in April 2024.
The wave of resignations has sparked concerns among staff and patients about the stability and future direction of Renown Health. As the healthcare provider continues attempting to navigate these challenging waters, the focus should remain on understanding the conditions that have prompted such a significant leadership turnover and addressing the root causes to prevent further departures.