Posted on 08/25/2020 10:38:30 AM PDT by buckalfa
Greg Neal told the Bristol Herald Courier he was asked to resign as CEO of Bristol (Tenn.) Regional Medical Center after participating in a surgical procedure without a medical license.
Mr. Neal stepped down from the role Aug. 20. He had served as CEO of Bristol Regional since 2013 and as president of Johnson City, Tenn.-based Ballad Health's northeast market since 2018.
Mr. Neal addressed his departure in an email to the Courier in which he said Ballad Health asked him to step down after his involvement in a surgical procedure.
"I agreed with their request and believe it was the right thing to do. After having served for nearly 30 years, I believe I owe the team at Ballad Health, Bristol Regional Medical Center and our community an explanation," he wrote.
Mr. Neal told the newspaper a surgeon recently invited him to enter an operating room to observe a surgical case and support the surgical team. He accepted the invitation.
"As the case began, the surgeon asked if I would like to make the initial incision for this surgical procedure. I regret I did so," Mr. Neal wrote.
"More importantly, I apologize to the patient and their family. I apologize to the team members of Ballad Health, and to the leadership of Ballad Health," he said.
Mr. Neal went on to say the patient was not harmed, but his involvement violated Ballad Health policy, and he accepts accountability.
Ballad Health initially learned about the incident after a team member used the health system's compliance process to report the issue, according to a statement from the health system. Once the issue was reported, Ballad Health said it immediately began an investigation, which concluded with replacing the CEO. Ballad Health named Chad Couch, MD, CMO of Bristol Regional, interim CEO. The physician involved in the surgical procedure also no longer works at the hospital.
"By accepting responsibility for his actions, and the accountability that comes with being a senior leader, Greg demonstrated the integrity that explains why he was such a successful CEO," Ballad Health said. "We are grateful for his years of service, and for recognizing the importance of our code of conduct. When it comes to an environment of patient safety, there cannot be exceptions, regardless of whether you are the chairman of the board or a newly hired team member. Our policies are serious. We all wish Greg success as he moves forward."
No one is allowed to be in the surgical theater
without a medical license ... unless he is Bill Gates.
Must have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.
Someone talking personal responsibility in the modern era?
He must not be a politician.
Resigning should be the least of his worries.
Next up, lawsuit.
Then, charges.
Medical Students do this stuff, they ain’t licensed... yet
I can’t believe someone would have participated in the surgery like that.
I expect a lawsuit to follow.
As a fact, your statement is false. I have a buddy who is a big wig in Stryker. They make knee and hip replacements.
My friend does not have any medical or nursing degree. He is in operating rooms nearly every day assisting in replacements.
He touches patients, manipulates OR equipment, etc.
although he has never mentioned using a scalpel, he is an active member of the surgery team.
The next time Mr. Neal needs a tooth filled, I hope the dentist lets his 18 year old tattooed, nose-pierced, green-haired daughter have a run at using the drill.
Hey, let me try - I always wanted to work on an automatic transmission....
Happens all the time. Think medical device & equipment reps training docs on new tech stuff.
Medical sales people are often in the surgical room helping with their expertise because they know the ins and outs of the device
They dont cut open patients
Somebody wanted this guy gone.
Do they cut open patients? Where you can knick something and kill someone?
Gives me an idea for a new TV reality series. Celebrity Surgeon.
Tonight Kelly Clarkson attempts a bowel resection...
We had an OBGYN do the same with a young lady volunteer he was enamored with. Let her make the first incision on a C section.
Fired him summarily.
He was almost charged with aggravated assault.
Can’t believe a CEO wouldn’t know better.
There was a Rockford Files episode about a medical sales guy that botched surgery on a big time hood.
Cutting the skin is the easy part!
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