Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1092388
48 POPULATION HEALTH 48 CEO/STRATEGY Hennepin Healthcare CEO resigns By Alyssa Rege J on Pryor, MD, retired from his position as CEO of Minneapolis-based Hennepin Healthcare in early February, according to the Star-Tribune. Dr. Pryor confirmed his resignation to the publication Feb. 5, but deferred to the hospital board to provide an explanation. "We are grateful to Dr. Pryor for leading us through this period of growth," Sheila Riggs, DDS, board chair of Hennepin Healthcare System, said in a Feb. 5 news release. "He is an innovator who helped the organization re- connect with the community, and Hennepin Healthcare System is stronger today because of his leadership." In an internal email to staff obtained by the publication, Dr. Pryor said: "is is the right time for me to make a transition to the next chapter of my life. Hennepin Healthcare is on the right path, but there is work still to be done. I regret that I won't be part of it, but I am confident that the right people and plans are in place." e board selected John Cumming, MD, to lead the system on an interim basis. Dr. Pryor has served as CEO of Hennepin Healthcare since 2013. His departure comes months aer community and state officials voiced concerns about the health system's re- search practices relating to studies about the sedative ketamine. A Star-Tribune investiga- tion found that paramedics involved in the study may have used the sedative on patients without prior consent. In January, the health system released the re- sults of several internal investigations into its research processes related to sedation studies and recommended changes to research proto- col. e probes found that the paramedics and researchers involved in the ketamine studies followed protocols in line with national stan- dards, according to the report. It is unclear if the research controversy played a role in Dr. Pryor's resignation, the report stated. n Ex-CEO gets 46 months in prison for defrauding Florida hospital By Ayla Ellison T he former CEO of Blountstown, Fla.-based Calhoun-Liberty Hospi- tal received a 46-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to 24 counts of wire fraud and three counts of tax fraud last year, according to TV station WJHG. Phillip Hill Jr. resigned as Calhoun Liberty's CEO in 2015. After his resignation, the new administration of the hospital found bookkeeping irregularities. Mr. Hill ordered supplies from eBay and other vendors, but created fake in- voices for payments to "Southeasteren Medical Supply." The hospital never received any supplies from the company, and there is no documentation the company existed. Mr. Hill sent checks for the supplies to a lock box he created to receive payments for Calhoun Liberty. Between March 2010 and August 2015, Mr. Hill allegedly defrauded the hospital of more than $1 million. To conceal the scheme, he filed false fed- eral income tax returns. Mr. Hill was arrested in May and charged with 24 counts of wire fraud and three counts of tax fraud. He pleaded guilty to the charges in October. n CVS unveils HealthHub store design By Alia Paavola C VS Health has unveiled three redesigned health-focused concept stores in the Houston market, according to CNBC. The pilot stores, called HealthHubs, have space for services to help custom- ers manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension and asth- ma. Each store also has an expanded health clinic with a lab for blood test- ing and health screenings. The stores will have respiratory specialists and dietitians on staff. Beyond those services, there are also wellness rooms equipped to handle yoga classes and seminars. "We're pleased and surprised pleasantly with the ecosystem of healthcare that we've created here and how approachable it is, how much people are interested in it, and there are certain things we can take to all stores," CVS Pharmacy President Kevin Hourican told CNBC. While the new stores have less space for greeting cards, seasonal items and general merchandise, consumers can still find toys, candy and alcohol. In addition, consumers can buy more health-focused products, such as medi- cal equipment and supplies for diabetes care and sleep apnea. The stores, part of the company's vision in acquiring health insurer Aetna, are designed to help the pharmacy chain become more of a convenient health- care provider. After acquiring Aetna in November, CVS promised to transform its stores to improve the health of its customers and lower healthcare costs. The new services in the stores are available to all CVS customers, not just Aetna members. n