Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1272398
21 WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP 21 CEO / STRATEGY Denver Health CEO apologizes for timing of exec bonuses By Ayla Ellison D enver Health Medical Center CEO Robin Wittenstein apolo- gized April 27 to the hospital's employees for the timing of in- centive bonuses that were paid to executives a week aer front- line staff were asked to take unpaid leave or cut their hours to help the hospital overcome a financial hit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to CBS Denver. Ms. Wittenstein apologized to the hospital's 7,000 employees on April 27, four days aer CBS Denver first reported about the incentive bonuses. According to CBS Denver, Ms. Wittenstein asked hospital staff on April 3 to take leave without pay, reduce hours or use up their personal time off as a way to help address financial stress. Denver Health Medi- cal Center ended March with a $10.6 million operating loss, according to financial documents. On April 10, incentive bonuses earned in 2019 were paid out to about 150 hospital executives and managers. Some of the bonuses ranged from $50,000 to $230,000, according to the report. In her April 27 email to hospital staff, Ms. Wittenstein acknowledged that the timing of the payments "caused [staff] hurt and anger." As of April 27, more than 3,400 people identifying themselves as Den- ver Health Medical Center workers had signed a petition calling for executives to return the bonuses. Ms. Wittenstein said payments to executives were not made in two of the last four years and apologized for not being more transparent. "Being informed of incentive payments now to the executive staff, no matter what the explanation … has clearly been painful and divid- ing, especially because you did not hear about this from me directly first. For this, I am deeply sorry," Ms. Wittenstein wrote to employees, according to CBS Denver. "It is deeply hurtful to me to think that we have, at this critical mo- ment, experienced such a situation. Again, I am truly sorry for the anger, frustration and pain it caused each of you and hope you accept my apology." Ms. Wittenstein said she was using her personal time off and waiving accrual of additional time off, equating to a 30 percent salary reduc- tion. She has also pledged $100,000 to the Denver Health Foundation to help employees, according to the report. n We Help Hospitals Save Millions of Dollars While maintaining clinical excellence. Our team of 2,500+ experts provides pharmacy management solutions to 800+ healthcare organizations nationwide. We bring excellence to client facilities that allows them to operate at peak efficiency while lowering costs and enabling top clinical quality. PHARMACY MANAGEMENT PHARMACY CONSULTING SPECIALIZED PHARMACY SVCS TELEPHARMACY 340B PROGRAM COMPLIANCE SUPPLY CHAIN REHABILITATION SERVICES SPECIALTY & AMBULATORY contactus@cpspharm.com | 800.968.6962 We support clinical, operational, regulatory and financial success for clients. We are a true partner in advancing care – one patient at a time. Join us for our upcoming webinar focused on INPATIENT PHARMACY MANAGEMENT July 23, 2020 at 1 p.m. ET Register at www.cpspharm.com/beckers 02821_CPS_Beckers_July_3.875x10.875_v2.indd 1 02821_CPS_Beckers_July_3.875x10.875_v2.indd 1 6/4/20 1:16 PM 6/4/20 1:16 PM