Committee recommends Veronica Elders as interim CEO, asks board to review compensation

A Hospital Authority ad hoc committee on executive search voted to recommend that Veronica Elders be appointed interim chief executive officer and asked the full board to consider adjusting compensation for the interim CEO role.

The recommendation comes after Elders, who has been serving as acting manager since the departure of the previous CEO, led the hospital through initial operational and audit responses. Committee Chair Dr. David Martin said, "I agree that Dr. Elders has been doing a remarkable job in the brief time that we've asked her to serve as acting manager," and the committee characterized her work as a reason to recommend her formal appointment as interim CEO.

Committee members praised Elders' familiarity with the hospital, engagement with board members and staff, and early progress on financial and audit issues. One member said Elders has been a "bridge builder" with quickly established relationships across clinical and administrative teams, and another noted she had helped organize cash flow and coordination with Metro finance and audits.

While the committee approved the recommendation, members said specifics of an interim CEO compensation package were not finalized. The group asked staff to obtain market data on interim CEO pay (one possible vendor mentioned was Permar) and said Metro Legal would be consulted to determine the appropriate process for changing compensation. Committee members indicated they expect to present compensation options to the full board for final action.

The committee formally moved and seconded a recommendation to the full board that Elders be appointed interim CEO and that the board consider compensation adjustments reflecting the additional duties; when put to a voice vote, members present approved the motion and it carried.

The committee emphasized that the recommendation is not a final appointment by the board. Committee members said the interim appointment would remain in place while a nationwide CEO search proceeds.

Less urgent items at the meeting included scheduling a regular biweekly meeting cadence for the committee to advance the search and related work and coordination with Metro staff on procurement, legal review and next steps. The committee set a next meeting date for April 30 at 11:00 a.m. to consider selection of a search firm.

Ending: The recommendation now moves to the full board for consideration at its next meeting; the committee said it will return with market data on compensation and expects to continue oversight of the CEO search while Elders serves as interim CEO.