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A new interim chief executive officer was named Tuesday at Texas County Memorial Hospital after a contentious forum before hospital trustees at the institution, one of the largest employers in the county and a crucial player in healthcare for the region.
In a note received Tuesday night, employees were told that Bill Bridges, a long-time veteran of the hospital, is the interim CEO. “The Board of Trustees met today, February 6th and a decision was made to end the relationship with Stace Holland effective immediately.” Board members voted unanimously in favor of the employment decision. Bridges is the emergency services director and has worked at the hospital for more than three decades.
The TCMH Board of Trustees released the following statement on Wednesday. “We have and always will try to do what’s best for the employees and the patients of this hospital.”
Board members asked Bridges to assist them in moving the hospital forward during the transition. Retention and recruitment of medical staff are top priorities at TCMH. The surgery department completion and other projects will continue as planned.
Just before the meeting of the trustees, Holland terminated the nearly 30-year employment of Linda Pamperien, the chief financial officer. The board was to have had a special meeting in its board room that started at noon to discuss administrative duties. Instead, the meeting was moved, and the Jayson Gentry Community Safe Room filled for what turned out to be a public forum to hear comments from those attending. Nearly all were critical of Holland’s leadership, praised Pamperien and fondly talked about their individual employment experiences over the years. Many in the room were crying. The board then convened into a closed session.
“I am honored and privileged to serve as interim CEO with CFO Linda Pamperien and Chief Nursing Officer Courtney Owens as part of our leadership team. We have a great team of employees and look forward to being able to serve all of you in the future,” Bridges wrote.
Holland began duties in November 2022.
This is a developing story and will be updated.