RMCHCS CEO quits after 3 years

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Bill Donovan
Staff writer

GALLUP — The man who is credited with saving Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital from bankruptcy has announced that he will be leaving at the end of this year.

Chuck Wright, CEO of the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Service, made his announcement recently to the organization’s board of directors, promising that he would work with the board to make the transition as easy as possible.

“I have enjoyed working with RMCHCS and being part of the Gallup community,” Wright said. “I have come to truly appreciate the many wonderful people both at RMCHCS and in the Gallup community and I will always be grateful for my time (here).”

Wright came here in December 2005 after the former CEO, David Baltzer, had been fired by the board. The previous year, the hospital saw a $12 million deficit and there were concerns about the hospital’s financial future.

Within a year, Wright had turned the hospital around and it is now operating in the black.

County Manager Tom Trujillo said Wright came in to make the changes to turn the hospital around and he had the background to accomplish it.

“That’s what he does, Trujillo” said, “and I am sure that that is what he will be doing wherever he is going.”
Wright said he is taking a job as CEO of St. James Health Care in Butte, Mont.

“I’m heading to a hospital that is facing financial challenges and lost $8 million last year,” he said. “I feel this is an opportunity to help another organization and make a difference in another community.”

Wright had to make a number of hard decisions when he came here, including firing several high-ranking employees at the hospital who were making more than $100,000 a year in salary.

“He had a big challenge when he arrived here,” said Truijillo, pointing out that the decisions he made were necessary but would have been very hard to make with a local staff.

Trujillo also praised Wright for implementing a good relationship with the county. “Anything we needed or anytime we wanted to have a meeting on things like the sole-provider program or the dialysis center, he was there.”

Wright said he feels this is a good time for him to leave.

“I believe RMCHCS is on the right track and I have (it) in the hands of a very talented administrative staff.”