[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6656942,"mediaKeyId","5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d","parentId",5108014,"title","Board elects Christy Smith chair in unanimous vote; CEO search RFP issued with July 24 deadline","audioSeconds",519,"startMs",1566000,"endMs",2085000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d&start=1566&end=2085","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d/thumbnail_1566000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656942/Tennessee/Board-elects-Christy-Smith-chair-in-unanimous-vote-CEO-search-RFP-issued-with-July-24-deadline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656942-3dfdc27c6385a18891b48f36085c7c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164719&Signature=nGPOs36S71oVmZTuKaIdC9c2Cv-W7vfQSIf9~W4ga~DNQ22d-f5AlH8W7azJUotAQrmC8bWHVaD8n9wxc2STLux0N9bFQuZpqiptitoBtRW5TWLVQ7wy4zpCT0dlwv7eGZnkWt-QP39PIXehZUCMYF5BdJAEPxL0jnAfPEQPE8Ssk3EUkScPXQDFqGbngNiHyVl03juVrgNGY7hsu9O1ToIm1Uk9uYveMGWNhhPtIMNvS2u1gIW9Fn-tCYvdciA3VutaeyioKcOTTc894dxFJdKgzxjxcnxwEftz71thNvwffhRg-UdiUqsKECzbTIhWeiDcS0fednJ5cChIshoFSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Metro Nashville Network","date","2025-06-27T10:56:17Z","article","The Hospital Authority board elected a new leadership slate unanimously and approved a timetable to hire an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide CEO search.

The nominating committee recommended Christy Smith for board chair, David Esquivel for vice chair and Dr. Arie Nettles for secretary. Board members cast paper ballots that were read aloud; the tally was unanimous (8–0) for each office. The chair congratulated the incoming officers and noted the change in leadership would coincide with the new fiscal year.

Separately, the board’s CEO search committee described the process to retain an executive search firm. Committee member David Esquivel said the hospital issued a request for proposals on Monday and that Metro Procurement is administering the solicitation. Proposals are due July 24. An evaluation committee will score submissions, interview finalists and recommend a firm to the CEO search committee and then to the full board; the timeline anticipates a recommendation and board approval around September.

Esquivel said the RFP is broader than just the CEO search and identified a selected firm may be available for subsequent executive-level searches for the hospital. The board discussed the public procurement steps required to engage an outside search firm and agreed to the timeline described by the search committee.

Ending: The board completed the leadership election and directed staff and the procurement committee to proceed with the RFP evaluation process with a goal of board approval of a search firm in September.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/26/25 Hospital Authority Board","oneSentenceSummary","The nominating committee presented a slate that won unanimous approval: Christy Smith as chair, David Esquivel as vice chair and Dr. Arie Nettles as secretary. Separately, the board issued an RFP for an executive search firm for the CEO search with proposals due July 24 and an expected board approval of a firm in September.","taxTitle","Hospital Authority Board Meetings, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee","taxId",69306,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656946,"Quality report: sepsis bundle compliance improves to 72.7%; one C. difficile reported for April; board approves quality report and credentialing slate",577,495000,1072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d&start=495&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d/thumbnail_495000.jpg","/articles/6656946/Tennessee/Quality-report-sepsis-bundle-compliance-improves-to-727-one-C-difficile-reported-for-April-board-approves-quality-report-and-credentialing-slate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656946-e992c08920b996e9213aa5792b53a3bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164719&Signature=MQ-hEulUNHk7kFodenxI0CTerTjoS~b5wcMc968xfBqc0ULS0Omo9HoDj2tTLTi4QpB6M~7-TpBL44scrFyVRnnyMLujAEpRCBRHdu5r-5lvmrMUOwSKpag6Evc8o1vbsW6IF2qZHERAQMTpsb6zqSnJ6VAuBkHOqm8zIG7OdfHco5mpvTfdPLNAOhmMg0xXiwlf-FENu~kpaSyFo511d28tJXcA~EakVxqUKxWMiK~il9473PQiIq6aKSdo6LZroT3K5qyTqVRms-ix-Wx3aFGBWTPamNDoYW39wLLUs7ckKr2wZxfUr3Z4o97AF7Y5uPPe5fIybJP3vdCkRi29qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hospital Authority board approved the quality report and a medical staff credentials slate after hearing a detailed update on safety, infection control and patient satisfaction metrics.

Felicia Denson, director of quality and patient safety, presented the May/April dashboard and said the hospital validated reporting and resumed tracking several metrics. She reported that the hospital ended May with no falls with injury and had achieved Leapfrog hand-hygiene observation targets for 18 consecutive months. Barcode medication administration compliance for May reached 97%, above the 95% goal. Denson said the hospital had gone more than 365 days without CLABSI (central-line associated bloodstream infection), CAUTI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection), MRSA bacteremia or surgical site infection events.

Denson also reported one C. difficile infection that occurred in April and was reported late because of reporting-system issues. \"This C. diff event took place in April ... we had gone about 615 days without a C. diff event,\" Denson said, adding that staff performed a deep dive with nursing, pharmacy, laboratory and environmental services to adjust testing, documentation and antimicrobial stewardship practices.

Under timely and effective care metrics, the severe sepsis bundle compliance rose to 72.7% for April, above the 58% national benchmark cited by the presenter. Denson said the improvement followed multidisciplinary work on blood culture timing and IV fluid administration, including coordination with emergency department staff.

On obstetrics, the hospital missed its C-section rate target for April—27.3% versus a 24.7% goal—but the rate declined from March, and staff are reviewing records to ensure indications and coding align with metric exclusions.

On patient experience, inpatient survey response rates rose modestly from 17 to 21 returned surveys between April and May, and the hospital met goals for three of four inpatient satisfaction questions (responsiveness, cleanliness and quietness) while willingness to recommend fell to 57.1%. Denson said the hospital will expand patient satisfaction reporting in August to include emergency department, ambulatory surgery and clinics.

Doctor Miller presented the credentialing report and recommended the initial appointments of three physicians: Dr. Bricknell (general medicine/internal medicine and cardiology), Dr. Johnson (general surgery with bariatric experience) and Dr. Stone (internal medicine and neurology). He noted resignations by Dr. Humes (emergency medicine) and Dr. Drummond (psychiatry). The credentialing slate was moved and seconded and was approved by the board.

After the quality presentation, the board moved to approve the quality report. A motion to accept the report passed.

Ending: Board members congratulated staff for sustained infection-control performance, noted work to address the C. difficile event and directed continued review of obstetrics coding and patient experience improvement plans.","The hospital reported improvements on severe sepsis bundle compliance and reductions in several hospital-acquired infections, but noted one delayed-reported C. difficile case in April. The board approved the quality report and credentialing recommendations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656950,"Final PSA with Meharry circulated; board told agreement is signature-ready and expected in July",82,110000,192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d&start=110&end=192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d/thumbnail_110000.jpg","/articles/6656950/Tennessee/Final-PSA-with-Meharry-circulated-board-told-agreement-is-signature-ready-and-expected-in-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656950-6802f20459a09ed373f8e9d55a4d73ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164719&Signature=Qta6YMwrQEKTMo5A6PI9cYXyLJosEakK3XEXCClX4kMW8Ob-CT31lmLqipvmr0ok09Nv3~GrI56kLxq80xPYgN4f0Twdbyb~sI9RyWJZ-WkW95DLH8NmVwCWLkxyd0tHfG6EeXm-JOtQeYtOYJSqpAGOIhwt69C6C9nG~jVwZq~QLZEEMJKefxR74iQW27uEtkC0yydUhfUzQP5rAa40pY~pQhy-pXX7QTAQOgBCsZgVtj7-1jqG7OqBiDbzpINF5DJg7mrBP7JF~wyBZXP5tNKvv9ERCTzHCV6sb-goDwjAXpchdRwODH2bo5CQ8y07imXLuHt3zCl2WOBOVHM8ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members were advised that the professional services agreement (PSA) being negotiated between the hospital authority and Meharry Medical College has reached a signature-ready form and will be delivered to the board for review in July.

David Esquivel (referred to in some remarks as “Mister Escobedo” in the packet) reported that a final PSA “has been negotiated. It has been reviewed by counsel at Meharry and outside counsel for the hospital, and would appear to be ready for signature.” He said the agreement’s term would run from July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, and that the term was set to coincide with an extension of the lease between Meharry and the hospital.

Board members said they believed the PSA should be submitted for board approval once signed. Christy Lewis and legal staff were asked to confirm whether Metro Government must also sign or otherwise be involved; one board member said he would research whether Metro sign-off is required and promised to report back before the July meeting. Neither the PSA text nor a formal board vote on the PSA was taken at the June meeting.

Ending: Board members expect the final PSA to be provided before the July meeting and said they will review and vote on it once counsel and Metro requirements are confirmed.","Board members were told a negotiated professional services agreement (PSA) with Meharry Medical College is ready for signature and is scheduled to run from July 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2027 to align with an extended lease; the board expects to review the signed PSA at its July meeting.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656955,"KPMG finds gaps in accounting controls; board approves amended FY2026 budget after May restatement",1023,2846000,3869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d&start=2846&end=3869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108014-3f3fb859cc1584d47c2c49b52e6b517d/thumbnail_2846000.jpg","/articles/6656955/Tennessee/KPMG-finds-gaps-in-accounting-controls-board-approves-amended-FY2026-budget-after-May-restatement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656955-0aa9c055d7fa09171b76a2c102ef10fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164719&Signature=Jni5swC3dFIfFK-qlF5s5n9L~6AohIapz7me9PQeqQ~tAKxCdg8F9mWS7HqylC3TaQziw1FW3TYf46EvLApiu~k0lZp5nveGP0-pNWOavnXHQ1WCg6riaw~jtSTAnUrVbsuQVv2XyRFM9SUTiZoA7SHe7HXJwB-AxZHjGgu9cWGSrcVf7Yn9iu-18bUioaP8UNtkxjT-uGvu7wuxRYAyWpq83Yh3Bl9VvXUpEGcJ3MbIySwfaFR02TRVFkbFlLMGMN5KB8PRWITf4arg1bUaT601zH4CQKUcAYYUhxXUjHVHYK2tqY2qArKL2M3OqXiRxwMNaItu~Qz0GuEDYc47wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hospital Authority board voted to approve an amended fiscal year 2026 budget on a motion from the board and a second; the motion passed. The vote followed a presentation from KPMG that identified weaknesses in accounting processes and a restatement of the hospital's May financial statements after a material discrepancy was found.

KPMG partners Hillary Simic and Chris Dixon gave the board a summary of a month-long diagnostic engagement, saying the firm had identified “symptoms” across invoice intake and recording, leased-equipment accounting, payroll controls and inventory management that reduced the reliability of monthly financial reports. “The process for intaking and recording invoices is problematic. There are multiple ways and multiple people performing this,” Dixon said, adding that the result was difficulty in understanding monthly expenses and forecasting. Simic outlined a sprint-based remediation plan of quick wins and 30/60/90 day improvements.

The KPMG presentation included examples the consultants called concerning to the board: a sizeable equipment lease that had been entered, commenced and not recorded on the books for more than a year and instances in payroll administration where terminated employees received payments. Dixon estimated the total of such payroll overpayments “in the $100,000 range” for items discussed in his review, and said the missing lease entries caused underreported assets, liabilities and lease expense for the current fiscal year.

Board members were told KPMG had cataloged roughly 80 recommended improvements and would triage them by impact. Simic said KPMG would deliver an implementation roadmap in August and continue to work with the finance team through the fiscal year-end audit.

The budget discussion and vote came after Chief Financial Officer Doctor Blackledge reviewed the revised FY2026 submission to Metro. The preliminary submission had proposed a city supplement of $66,000,000; the revised figure dropped that supplement to $60,700,000. Patient revenue projections increased by $5,100,000 (about 2%), which lifted net revenue by $1,100,000 (2%). At the same time, total revenue decreased about $4,000,000 and total expenses decreased by roughly $2,000,000 versus the preliminary plan; that produced a roughly $2,000,000 reduction in the projected operating margin compared with the original budget.

The board was also told the May financials had been restated after management identified a material error during the monthly management review. Doctor Blackledge described a missing $9,000,000 amount that triggered the restatement. The board heard that the restatement and the KPMG engagement were reasons the authority had hired Ray Burchetto as controller; Burchetto said his work will focus on alignment, discipline and implementing standard operating procedures.

Controller Ray Burchetto told the board that current-month revenues in May were 18.7% under budget — about $5.3 million — and year-to-date revenues were 11.8% under budget, about $36.4 million. He said several categories of expense were over budget year to date, including salaries and benefits and physician services. The finance presentation and KPMG’s findings were cited by board members as justification for the amended budget and for continuing the external engagement.

The board directed management to continue the KPMG remediation plan and to report back as the firm implements quick wins and the 30/60/90 day items. The board approved the amended FY2026 budget as presented.

Ending: Board members said they considered the KPMG engagement and the restated financials necessary to restore reliable monthly reporting and to improve forecasting ahead of the new fiscal year.","KPMG told the Hospital Authority board it discovered problems in invoice recording, payroll controls, leases and inventory tracking. The board approved an amended FY2026 budget and heard that May financials were restated after a $9 million issue; a new controller was introduced.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board elects Christy Smith chair in unanimous vote; CEO search RFP issued with July 24 deadline

Quality report: sepsis bundle compliance improves to 72.7%; one C. difficile reported for April; board approves quality report and credentialing slate

Final PSA with Meharry circulated; board told agreement is signature-ready and expected in July

KPMG finds gaps in accounting controls; board approves amended FY2026 budget after May restatement