SoutheastHEALTH CEO resigns, board cites management differences

Citing differences in management philosophy, SoutheastHEALTH CEO Debbie Linnes resigned Monday after less than two years on the job.

Linnes came to Southeast in September 2009, after serving as CEO at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo.

"We've had some issues over a period of time," said Al Spradling, chairman of the board of trustees.

He learned of Linnes' resignation -- effective immediately -- Monday morning.

Spradling would not say if the board asked for her resignation. He declined to elaborate further about the circumstances, saying they were private personnel matters.

Wayne Smith has been named interim CEO by the board of trustees. Smith joined Southeast in September 2010 as vice president of human resources and development.

He previously worked in a similar capacity at Saint Francis Medical Center after working as Southeast Missouri State University's vice president of advancement.

Before that, Smith, a Delta native, worked outside the area as an executive with Verizon, TXU Communications and Ameritech.

At the time Smith joined Southeast, he said the position would give him the opportunity to be part of a new team that was creating a new culture within the hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said Smith was not available for an interview Monday.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead SoutheastHEALTH," Smith said in an emailed statement. "The future for our organization is positive and we will continue to progressively build upon it to benefit those we are privileged to serve."

Several new senior management staff were added during Linnes' time as CEO including Smith; James Limbaugh, executive vice president of planning and business development; Hugh King, vice president and chief financial officer; Gregory Hudson, vice president of strategic planning and marketing; and William Pfingsten vice president of physician services.

During Linnes' time at Southeast, the organization took over Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan, Mo., and opened the new Southeast Cancer Center in Cape Girardeau. The hospital also rolled out a new brand, SoutheastHEALTH, designed to better reflect its network of providers, services and facilities.

"SoutheastHEALTH is an exceptional organization and I'm proud of the accomplishments we have made," Linnes said in an emailed statement Monday. "We have positioned SoutheastHEALTH to be a top-performing health system in patient satisfaction, quality and value to the community."

She said she's working with the board's executive committee to facilitate a smooth transition.

She would not comment on the specifics surrounding her departure.

Linnes was hired to replace longtime Southeast CEO Jim Wente. Wente served as CEO from 1991 to 2009 and had worked in management there since 1975.

Spradling said the board will eventually form a search committee, and he anticipates it will hire a professional firm to conduct a national search for a new CEO.

"It's a very time-consuming process," Spradling said. "You hate to have to do it again so soon."

mmiller@semissourian.com

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