Two Fresh Board Members Needed – Filing Deadline is May 17

It’s nearing filing time, a time when the Whidbey News-Times asks local political incumbents if they plan to run again. Hospital board incumbent Nancy Fey told them she will run for re-election. Board president Ron Wallin says he’s undecided – after more than twelve years on the job, he still can’t make up his mind?

Having myself once run for a seat on the board, I can tell you that there are plenty of people willing to become board members, so long as it’s by appointment – which happens when a board member resigns before the end of the 6-year term.

The trouble with that is the remaining board members do the appointing. This is why the board keeps being occupied by like-minded people. There haven’t been many times a newcomer has defeated an incumbent seeking re-election. For this reason citizens are reluctant to launch an election campaign against incumbents like Wallin or Fey – no one likes to lose. It’s my fervent hope some do so anyway.

I’m on record as saying all board member should resign, as they have presided over the most financially-troubled period in the hospital district’s history. They aren’t just accountable for this by virtue of their titles. The bungled Geri Forbes era at the hospital is directly attributable to them. They got rid of the previous CEO, they selected Forbes, they decided on her contract terms and pay, they failed to provide proper oversight and direction, and, finally, they massacred the manner of her termination.

WhidbeyHealth’s extreme troubles are not due to external factors: the economies of the country and of the Island are healthy. The nearest hospital to WH, Island Hospital in Anacortes, is booming. WhidbeyHealth’s problems are of its own internal making.

Ron Wallin, District 3

I have no illusions. Anyone opposing Ron Wallin on the ballot is almost certain to lose. He has 12 years of incumbency going for him, along with the name familiarity it brings. In addition, the Wallin name is golden around Oak Harbor, and that’s where Island County elections are won or lost. If he seeks re-election, he will likely be unopposed.  

According to the WH website, “Wallin is dedicated to the prudent use of taxpayer funds.” Tell that to those who think paying ex-CEO Geri Forbes $450,000 in 2018 is the opposite of prudent. Wallin says that “a sound financial condition helps the hospital recruit and retain top-quality medical talent. I heartily agree – but under the Wallin board presidency, the hospital’s financial condition has sunk to its most precarious stage ever.

I’m aware that Ron, with his background in major construction projects, has put hundreds of hours of his own time into trying to assure the new inpatient wing construction came in on time and on budget. That’s tremendous, but it did neither. The board had even crossed its fingers that there would be enough money left over to modernize the pharmacy, but instead there was a cost overrun estimated at $3 million.

Is Wallin a caring person? A generous individual? A well-meaning public citizen? An experienced businessman? A nice man? Yes, times five. But he has not translated those qualities into helping WH maintain a stable and healthy financial posture. If you have any doubts about the hospital being in do-or-die financial straits, please read my posts of 4/18 and 4/22.

Nancy Fey, District 4

Nancy Fey intends to seek re-election. She certainly has a desirable background: more than 45 years in healthcare as a pharmacist in retail and hospital settings, she’s resided here since 1966, and she’s been a successful local business person. 

The website says she “wants to keep the medical center on the leading edge of the ever-changing healthcare environment.” That’s a bit ironic, because despite all of her knowledge about the pharmaceutical industry, in 2018 the hospital’s pharmacy was found to be so outdated and out of code almost $4 million was spent to build a new one on an emergency basis. I’m told the facility was already outdated back in the ‘90s. 

As with Wallin, she also means well, she’s charitable, she’s a fixture in the community, she’s a compassionate person, and she has a fine reputation. But also as with Wallin, her good intentions haven’t translated into WH being a fiscally sound institution. She’s had since 2013 to help improve the hospital’s finances, and instead things have only gone downhill that entire time. 

For those few of us who have watched her in action at board meetings, she’s viewed as the do-nothing commissioner. WH desperately needs a do-something person.

And like Wallin, both incumbents are the sworn enemies of transparency – the reason we need a watchdog!

Summary

Whether in the private or public sector, board commissioners are largely considered to be decoration. Boards are mostly comprised of pillars of the community or of the business or political realms. It’s no different at our hospital. 

But this isn’t the time for figureheads, honorary appointments, or “establishment” types. Even the interim CEO admits we are in “a little bit of perilous times.” We need energetic, committed, pragmatic, and yes, a few more youthful, board members. 

President Wallin, in the aftermath of the Geri Forbes termination last week, told us “the board intends to be ‘more involved’ moving forward.” Too late, Ron, the horse is already out of the barn.