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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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New Hospital CEOs Expected Soon

Gov. Juna F. Luis Memorial Hospital. (File photo)
Gov. Juan F. Luis Memorial Hospital. (Bill Kossler photo)

The Territorial Hospital Board is at the point of beginning to interview individuals to replace interim chief executive officers at the Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas and the Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix, according to the chairman of the board, Christopher Finch.

“We decided we should have, everything considered, a more seasoned executive,” he said.

Dr. Jerry Smith, chair of the St. Thomas board and Territorial Board’s human resources committee added there are three finalists who will visit the territory for interviews soon.

“The committee, in general, looked for extensive executive experience, understanding the various issues and needs of the medical system at this time,” he said.

Although they have helped with the selections process, the interim CEO’s – Dr. Luis Amaro at SRMC and Dyma Williams at JFL – were notified recently they would not be considered for the positions.

Finch said he could not thank the interim CEO’s enough. He added that they had taken part in the selection process and were appreciated for the work.

“There are echoes across the board. Nothing but good things can be said about both of them. We thank them for the work they have done,” Finch said.

Smith told the Source that Amaro submitted a 90-day resignation Thursday and board members said he addressed the staff later. A press release was sent out later in the day with a statement from Amaro.

“After learning from the board of directors that I am no longer a candidate for the permanent CEO position, I spent some time reflecting on my future. It is with a measure of sadness and excitement to tell you that I will be returning my focus full-time to my private practice after ensuring a smooth transition to a new executive leadership,” Amaro said.

Finch said Amaro had said he might not stay “terribly long but did not talk to me today.” Finch said he expects and hopes Williams will continue working at the St. Croix hospital.

New executives will face designing and rebuilding a new hospital on St. Croix and renovating several facilities on St. Thomas and St. John in addition to day-to-day operations. For the next few years, they will work closely with the territorial board, architects and other contractors. Once completed, the administrators will be tasked with hiring additional staff, in some cases for departments with new functions and procedures.

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