Allard resigns

Mary Stroka

NLJ Reporter

Former WCHS Chief Operating Officer Piper Allard has resigned as chief operating officer of Weston County Health Services, according to an email that the hospital’s chief executive officer, Cathy Harshbarger, sent to the News Letter Journal on Aug. 30.

Harshbarger said the statement, in which the hospital announced that Allard resigned effective Aug. 30, was a “joint message” from the hospital and Allard. The message detailed Allard’s accomplishments in her position, and may close the book on a contentious series of personnel moves that were begun under former CEO Randy Lindauer and included Allard being placed on administrative leave.

At its Aug. 29 meeting, the board, now chaired by Ann Slagle, accepted Allard’s resignation and authorized Harshbarger to enter into a separation agreement with her defined by terms discussed by the board during an executive session.

“Ms. Allard dedicated over twenty years of service to the organization, leading operations, ensuring patient care standards were met, scheduling staff, coordinating and maintaining budgets for assigned departments, certifying CMS quality reporting, serving as the nursing home administrator, and adhering to accreditation and compliance standards,” the message said. “In addition, she helped WCHS achieve its vision of providing quality healthcare in a caring environment to improve the health of our community.”

Allard’s employment status had been in doubt since Lindauer placed her on administrative leave in late April, notifying her of his decision to do so in a letter. At the May 2 hospital board meeting, Allard granted permission for the letter to be read publicly. In the letter, Lindauer had also requested Allard’s resignation and offered her a conditional severance package that would require her to allow the hospital to identify her as the facility’s nursing home administrator — while also forbidding her to contact employees that she would have to supervise under the conditions of her administrator’s license.

The joint message released by Harshbarger also acknowledged that an investigation had been conducted into Allard’s actions while employed at WCHS, and indicated that Allard had acted appropriately in the matters being investigated.

“Prior to her resignation, an internal investigation regarding a potential HIPAA violation was conducted. This inquiry determined that Ms. Allard did not breach HIPAA regulations,” the message said. “Further, she operated within the job specifications of her COO and interim CEO roles.”

HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This federal law has mandates regarding insurance coverage and the privacy and security of patients’ health information.

At the July 25 hospital board meeting, trustee Karine Wright West, who began serving on the board after being elected in May, said that all board members had had a chance to review the full report since the July 11 board meeting.

The joint message said the hospital board “extends its deep gratitude to Ms. Allard for her significant contributions over the past two decades and wishes her success in her future endeavors.”

Shane Filipi is the hospital’s current nursing home administrator. He accepted the position on July 29. Harshbarger said on Sept. 2 that she has no plans to hire a COO.