Harshbarger retires — Ryan returns as interim CEO

Weston County Health Services CEO Cathy Harshbarger retired this week just days after returning from medical leave, prompting the hospital board to again turn to interim leadership amid ongoing financial and operational pressures.

The Weston County Hospital District board of trustees formally approved Harshbarger’s resignation and appointed Pat Ryan as interim CEO during a special meeting May 11.

Harshbarger, who had returned to work May 4, had led Weston County Health Services since June 24, 2024. Ryan had been assisting the hospital during Harshbarger’s medical leave and helped develop a broader stabilization strategy now being implemented by hospital leadership.

In a statement to the News Letter Journal, Harshbarger said her health issues led to her decision to retire after more than four decades in the health care industry.

“It has been my distinct pleasure to spend the past two years working with the board and an amazing team of health care workers who are dedicated to serving their community,” she said.

Harshbarger said leaving the position was “bittersweet,” but she expressed confidence in the hospital staff and leadership team moving forward.

“A lot of challenges have been addressed during my two-year tenure,” she said. “We have worked hard as a team. The future of WCHS is secure in their capable hands.”

Board Chair Ann Slagle said during the May 11 meeting that it was “a hard thing, a sad thing” to see Harshbarger resign but expressed gratitude that Ryan was willing to return to the interim role.

Harshbarger “has poured her heart and soul into WCHS,” Slagle said.

According to Slagle, the board planned to meet with Harshbarger during a special meeting May 9 regarding a strategic stabilization plan Ryan had developed while working with upper-level managers.

Trustee Kari Drost said that during the executive session of that meeting, “we had a crisis that revealed itself suddenly.”

“The board decided to call Pat as she had just left,” Drost said. “Chairman Ann called Pat with the full board next to her. When Pat heard of the crisis, Pat readily agreed to come back and help.”

Drost emphasized that the decision to bring Ryan back was unanimous.

“It wasn’t one person,” she said. “It was the full board together and acting in unison.”

Ryan will now serve as interim CEO under a consulting agreement approved May 11 between Weston County Hospital District/dba Weston County Health Services and Healthcare Reality & Results LLC, Ryan’s California-based consulting company.

Under the agreement, Ryan will oversee executive management operations and report directly to the hospital board while working primarily in Newcastle.

The agreement provides compensation of $9,000 per week, prorated for partial weeks. That is the same rate Ryan received during Harshbarger’s leave of absence, which began in March. WCHS also will provide temporary housing, utilities and reimbursement for work-related expenses, including travel and airfare. Ryan will continue serving as an independent contractor and will not receive employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement benefits or paid sick leave.

The agreement also allows reimbursement for trips to Ryan’s home in San Mateo, California, up to once every two weeks.

Slagle told the NLJ that the board did not discuss in either meeting a timeline for hiring a new CEO.

Hospital leadership also is moving forward with a broader stabilization plan intended to address financial pressures facing the organization, including rising costs, labor shortages and billing and collection challenges. Additional details about that effort are expected to be presented publicly during the hospital board’s May 21 meeting.

Weston County Hospital District/dba Weston County Health Services includes the hospital, clinics, pharmacies and Weston County Manor.

Cash flow challenges

Weston County Health Services leadership says the organization has begun implementing a financial stabilization plan as leaders confront what officials described as “many of the health care industry’s headwinds — declining reimbursement, increased supply and medication expenses, select labor shortages, and an increasing number of uninsured patients.”

In a joint statement, interim CEO Pat Ryan and Weston County Hospital District board of trustees Chair Ann Slagle said those challenges have negatively affected the organization’s cash position.

According to the statement, the plan includes expense management, timely billing and collections, and revenue-maximization strategies while maintaining quality patient care and patient satisfaction.

Trustee Kari Drost told the News Letter Journal that the hospital board approved the plan in a special meeting May 9. “The full plan will be rolled out” during the board’s May 21 meeting, with a slideshow presentation and talking points.