UPDATE 5/21/15 5:33 pm:
Oconee Regional Medical Center may soon have a new leader after the hospital's CEO said she'll resign.
CEO Jean Aycock told hospital board members last night at a meeting, according to a statement from the board. Aycock's resignation comes amid some financial problems that recently led to about a dozen layoffs.
Last year, Oconee partnered with Navicent Health, which helps manage the hospital. Recently, the public and some doctors have complained about cuts at the hospital and Navicent's role.
Dr. Anil Puri says Oconee Regional Medical Center CEO Jean Aycock's resignation tells people that their messages are getting through.
"I think that her resignation sends a strong message," Puri said. "It sends a strong message to the people of this community that their voice is important, their health care is important and their voice will be heard."
Puri says he's concerned that the community and local physicians are losing grip of their small town hospital. He says the hospital's board has discussed changes to Oconee behind closed doors. And he thinks some of those changes are reducing patient bed capacity and sending people miles away to Macon to receive care.
He says colleagues agree, and are equally displeased with the board.
"They work for the people of this community and these people want transparency and they want their health care locally," he said. "So, you know irrespective of why they may have decided to resign, I think there was a significant amount of public discontent."
Puri says now that Aycock is resigning, it opens the doors for improvements to the hospital on a local level. But he says new people may be needed on the board to make that happen.
"I would hope that the board would also follow along in Ms. Aycock's footsteps and understand that there may be some changes needed at the board level in order to allow better representation from community members," he said. "I think this will hopefully end up moving the dialogue forward."
13 WMAZ's Claire Davis reached out to Oconee Regional. Aycock was not available for comment. Karen Brooks, the marketing coordinator for ORMC set up an interview for us with board member Phyllis Parks Veal. Brooks then canceled and said the board wasn't ready to talk.
Oconee Regional emailed us a statement from Chairman of the hospital's board David Groseclose. The statement says the board takes the matter seriously and are coming up with a leadership transition plan.
Dr. Puri says he'll continue to advocate for his patients and their access to health care.
UPDATE 5/21/15 10:30 a.m.:
Karen Brooks, the marketing coordinator for ORMC, delivered a statement regarding CEO Jean Aycock's resignation.
"The board of directors announced that they received an intent to tender Jean Aycock's resignation," the statement reads. "As soon as they can prepare the proper resignation letter this week, the board request a motion to accept the letter. When it's received, that motion will be carried. There is no official letter at this time from Aycock but she intends to submit a letter of resignation this week."
This is after a board meeting was held Wednesday. Aycock's resignation comes after a dozen people were laid off from ORMC.
Angie Martin, the chief executive officer of the Milledgeville Chamber of Commerce, said she hopes the hospital can resolve its financial issues and continue to serve the community.
"The Chamber, local businesses and members of the board agree that a local community hospital and healthcare system is essential in providing to the community of Milledgeville," she said. "It also provides huge economic developments. I speak for the voice of the people in the community."
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A change in leadership is coming to Oconee Regional Medical Center in Milledgeville.
At a meeting Wednesday night, board members accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Jean Aycock. That's according to Dr. Wesley King, a physician among the more than 150 he says showed up for the meeting.
King says so many people were there, only 80 were allowed in the room due to fire safety code.
Aycock's resignation comes as Oconee Regional goes through some financial problems and about a dozen layoffs. Navicent Health has recently stepped in to help manage the hospital, and some doctors have previously told 13WMAZ they're worried that could translate to fewer patient beds.
Right now, Oconee Regional Medical Center has 75 beds, 566 employees, and an annual budget of about $70 million.
