Employees at Mammoth Hospital continue to send email comments to us – messages that express concerns that the Hospital Board doesn't care about workers, fired Interim CEO Ed Matthews, turned up with a very low approval rating in a survey. On the other hand, Board Chairman Don Sage said that he and others have held sit-down meeting with employees to hear their concerns.

Sage said that last week he and board member Jack Copeland met with all hospital administration staff and held two meetings to sit down with employees. "It was a wide-open session," said Sage. "We had a good give and take. We will make ourselves as available as we can. My phone number is in the book and other board members' are too."

The Board Chair responded to employee claims that the Board has a deaf ear for workers. He said the board members will listen to individual or public comments. "We will try to be fair," he said. "We will keep the needs of all in mind – the community and employees."

Workers continue to point a finger at the serious money troubles at Mammoth Hospital – particularly past failures to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars and billing failures. Some have called the hospital culture a "Good Old Boys" system.

Meanwhile, the Board currently moves ahead with selection of a new CEO. Sage said that they will interview the three final candidates the second week of March. He said they plan to hold meetings between candidates, medical staff, employees and auxiliary representatives as well as board members. "We will try to evaluate who will fit into the community the best." The candidates will spend a day with real estate representatives. The issue of housing is no small matter.

Sage said it will be the end of April before a new CEO is on board. The Hospital Board may hire a firm to handle finances until the CEO goes to work.