Baltimore Sun: St. Joseph's CEO Resigns

The Baltimore Sun reported Friday that the chief executive officer of St. Joseph Medical Center has resigned, less than two years after he was hired to help the Towson hospital handle the crisis spurred by a surgeon accused of implanting unnecessary stents. 

The newspaper reports that Jeffrey K. Norman's departure is a worrisome sign because the controversy he was hired to address surrounding surgeon has not been fully addressed.

"The hospital faced a federal inquiry into the stent procedures, and many of the patients involved are suing the hospital. St. Joseph paid the federal government $22 million to settle separate claims of a kickback scheme involving a cardiology practice where Midei once worked and to repay Medicare funds received for Midei's stents," The Sun reported.

In a message sent on Friday to hospital staff, Norman wrote:

"I write to inform you of my resignation as President and CEO of St Joseph Medical Center effective August 22, 2011.

As you know, I came here just shy of 2 years ago to continue the work of the reorganization team to advance the mission forward for St. Joseph.  We had much to do to set a new strategic direction and rebuild the confidence of our community, our patients and our staff in the excellent care we provide. We have worked through important adjustments to our compliance program, improved our financial operations and made strides in even better patient satisfaction.

We have an excellent set of comprehensive goals in place for FY 11-12 including additional significant expansion of our primary care network through the St. Joseph Medical Group, growth of our clinical Centers of Excellence, and gains in developing a high performing culture – all actions necessary to sustain the ministry in what are challenging times for all health care organizations.

I had the pleasure of working with dedicated board members, excellent physicians, and caring staff who embody the mission and core values of St. Joseph Medical Center in every way."