Hospital board trustees opted to terminate their relationship with Arthur
Frable Wednesday, November 28, during a special meeting that was scheduled
to evaluate the first-year CEO.
After a brief discussion, all five board members who were present voted
unanimously to dismiss Frable “without cause” effective immediately.
Trustee Richard Cook was absent.
Frable, an Oklahoma native, began work at the facility on October 16, 2017.
He told trustees he had enjoyed his work and living in the Winnemucca
community but acknowledged that he and board members likely were on different
pages with regard to leadership styles, perceptions and even priorities.
Trustees agreed.
“Personally for me,” Trustee Bill Hammargren told Frable, “the
relationship hasn’t been what I was hoping it would be.” Hammargren
later added, “I’m not comfortable that we’re on the
right path.”
Humboldt County Commission Representative Ken Tipton said some of the “tough
issues” he expected Frable to handle were brought back to the board.
“We should not have to tell you everything,” he said. Tipton
said he also felt “blown off in getting things that I’ve asked
for.”
Trustee Jennifer Hood said in the beginning of Frable’s tenure, she
felt he did an excellent job “knitting back together” the
staff and community. However, she said as time went on, Frable “fixed
on things” that were important to him, “but missed the big
things.” Hood said, “I don’t see the cohesiveness on
a larger scale . . . it’s not paying off for us.”
Chairman JoAnn Casalez said when the board met in February to set goals
for the organization, she felt trustees were very clear regarding their
priorities. However, she said Frable has not acted on that clarity of
vision over the past months—and in some cases, has not alerted the
board to situations which could damage the hospital. “I just don’t
think this is an appropriate fit for what we need at Humboldt General
Hospital and with our community,” she said.
Trustee Michelle Miller said she was hoping for a leader who could see
and act on problem areas. She noted the hospital has a strategic plan
in place, but said she felt Frable was lacking in putting that plan and
its corresponding policies in place.
Frable told trustees he would not argue with their perception of his performance;
however, he did discuss some of the accomplishments of the past year,
including acquiring a new electronic medical records program, kick-starting
a pharmacy remodel, and successfully traversing several state and federal surveys.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done this year,” he said.
“I’m ready to move on with a clean conscience.”
Board Chairman Casalez said an executive committee will oversee hospital
operations for the present time.
The board will then meet in special session at 7 p.m. Wednesday, December
5, to decide on plans for both interim leadership and CEO recruitment.