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Embattled RMCHCS CEO ousted

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The Board of Trustees of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services announced the termination of Chief Executive Officer David Conejo in a press release June 11.  Conejo’s firing is effective immediately. The Board also severed ties with his company, Healthcare Integrity.

Conejo was facing issues on many fronts, including complaints that the hospital was ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, and calls for more and better personal protective equipment, and concerns about overloaded staff.

On May 4, RMCHCS Employed Providers signed a Letter entitled “Vote of No Confidence in David Conejo.”

Conejo also felt the pressure from the Office of the State Auditor, to turn over financial documents requested months ago for a special audit requested by McKinley County.

Furthermore, board member Dr. Laura Hammons managed to get Conejo a 30-day extension on a payment of $1.7 million in  back rent that was due to be paid to McKinley County by May 22.

It was Hammons who sent out the release about Conejo’s firing.

State Auditor Brian Colón told the Gallup Sun that after a May meeting, which included Conejo, many of the requested financial documents began arriving at his office in Santa Fe.

After he learned of the firing, he said, “I have long been concerned with the troubling allegations of gross operational mismanagement, failure to communicate, and lack of transparency at the hospital under the leadership of CEO, David Conejo.”

The Board has appointed Chief Financial Officer Mary Bevier as interim CEO.

Colón expressed his satisfaction with the choice.

“I am encouraged by the work of new hospital CFO, Mary Bevier, and will monitor the transition of leadership as she takes on the role of interim CEO,” he said.

Bevier will work with the executive team of Chief Operating officer Mike Nye, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Valory Wangler, Chief Nursing Officer Felicia Adams, Chief Quality Officer Addie Patel, and Chief of Staff Ayodele Erinle.

Bevier has served as an interim CEO at a prior hospital system.

The Board will begin an executive search for a permanent CEO.

At this time no information has been released about the reason for Conejo’s termination or his severance package.

By Beth Blakeman
Associate Editor

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