Feuquay to leave NRMC

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

By Nicole Garner

Nevada Daily Mail

Judy Feuquay, Nevada Regional Medical Center CEO, announced Tuesday that she will be stepping down from her position after 10 years with the hospital.

Judith Herstein, NRMC community relations director, said that Feuquay made the announcement in an email to hospital leadership, departments and employees. In that email, Feuquay wrote that she and NRMC Board of Directors agreed it was time for her to "move on" from the hospital.

Feuquay said she will be leaving the hospital "fairly soon," but no time frame has been set. In her email, which she forwarded to the Daily Mail, she thanked the staff for their service and recognized the award-winning work NRMC has accomplished.

"In my 10 years at NRMC we've seen huge changes in healthcare -- some exciting, some very challenging. Together, we've won national recognition and awards, and made tremendous progress."

Feuquay wrote that she will be working with board chairman Glen Rogers and Quorum Health Services to "ensure a smooth transition to a new CEO that will minimize disruption" to the hospital staff.

She added in a later email to the Daily Mail that, "It is critical that we continue with the cost reduction strategies we have going," during this interim period.

"Both our medical center and I will be absolutely fine," she wrote in her email to the staff. "We are fortunate to have a very strong and knowledgeable Board of Directors, who care deeply about the NRMC family and will continue to keep the hospital on the road to fiscal stability. They will make certain NRMC is well-prepared for even more exciting and challenging changes."

Herstein said that there will be an interim CEO while the search begins for Feuquay's replacement, but no individual has yet been selected.

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I'm sure she will have no problem getting a job with Cerner....

-- Posted by electronic77 on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 8:23 AM
I HOPE THAT THE NRMC BOARD LOOKS WITHIN THE HOSPITAL TO HIRE THE NEW CEO INSTEAD OF THROWING BIG MONEY AT SOMEONE NEW TO THE COMMUNITY/HOSPITAL.

-- Posted by BORN&RAISEDNEVADAMO on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 8:35 AM
About time and NO the hospital should not look inside to find a replacement..there is NO ONE qualified in Nevada for this job....this needs to be someone OUTSIDE that has knowledge of how to do a complete restructure of a rural hospital....and knows the reality that they can only be as big as the community and services should be equal to it's size..don't try and be something that this town and county cannot sustain...good luck, the new person will need it and GOOD RIDDANCE to the feuqueys...though they are taking A LOT of Nevada money and running I guarantee that...and electronic77 you are VERY correct...

-- Posted by tigerproud on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 8:47 AM
Well said tigerproud, I mostly agree. Remember the new CEO will not be the choice of the board it will be the management group that fills that position I believe. I would rather say good luck than good riddance to Mrs. Feuquey, I don't think a person intentionally puts an entity they are in charge of in the position our hospital is in right now. Also, to continually blame Cerner seems strange, they put their product in place and it isn't, or wasn't being used correctly. That is like blaming the hammer when you hit your finger.

-- Posted by ccmom on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 9:15 AM
It sure is easy to jump on the bandwagon when things don't go the way you want them to or expect them to. The times I and my family have been at NRMC, we received great care from a wonderful staff. As far as I'm concerned, Ms. Feuquay did an outstanding job running the hospital with all the challenges put in place by our government's overloading regulations and its so called "affordable health care act". I dare say that anyone who is negative toward a CEO or other leader of an organization like NRMC has no idea what it takes to run an organization of that magnitude. I offer that those of you celebrating her decision to leave put in for the position and see how well you fare under the conditions and strict regulations placed on healthcare providers. Being a leader is not an easy job...Its tiring and thankless and takes guts to make tough decisions, especially when those decisions involve the livelihood of so many people. Why would she want to stay around with a community of ungrateful citizens when all they can do is whine and moan. Good luck getting a new CEO that cared as much for this community as Judy Feuquay does, especially if they take the time to read the comments section of this article.

-- Posted by Looking Forward on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 12:44 PM
Glad to hear Feuquay is stepping down. Maybe the hospital can be saved. The staff and workers will be happier. She never complimented, but run people down. A little kindness goes a long way with people. God bless NRMC.

-- Posted by exnurse on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 2:01 PM
Thank the Lord! Work in that hospital for a few months and you will quickly learn that Judy could care less about any of us. I can guarantee that this hospital and community are in better hands with noone than with her. We have a long road to recover from this disaster but she should have never lasted 10 years and we employees have been saying that for a long long time! I am a proud NRMC clinical employee and look forward to getting back on track. Understand folks that you will have negative and positive experiences wherever you seek care, if you have a problem speak up and talk to a supervisor so the problem is solved don't just go ahead and leave and then complain. Give us a chance......

-- Posted by soooconfused on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 4:53 PM
Shame on you Mr. Chairman, Dr. Glenn Rogers! Where in the world has a CEO been relieved from their duties but allowed to stay and transition out?? Is that something new from the Harvard Business Review or perhaps a Fortune 500 secret? Do you not know the havoc she is capable of causing?

Let me enlighten you, in case you have forgotten. The "awards" that Ms. Feuquay proudly referred to in her good-bye letter to the staff were QHR awards for budget and finance! Two things that we DO NOT have a handle on. She calls it a "national" award but they were regional awards comparing NRMC to other hospitals managed by QHR. There were not a lot and most of them were MUCH smaller than NRMC. NRMC was the biggest of the smallest hospitals they manage. So of course NRMC won awards (thanks to Cindy Buck); however, these are irrelevant in the larger picture. Hmmm - I wonder if QHR will award another to the institution that found the CFO "cooking the books"? Funny how no details as to why the last CFO resigned unexpectedly. Why hasn't the truth for the $2.5 million loss been explained to anyone? Ms. Feuquay as the CEO of the organization is also responsible for these losses. These losses have occurred under her leadership. Is it possible that the rumors of Ms. Feuquay having the knowledge of "creative accounting" could be true? This is a strong enough reason as to why she should not remain at 800 S. Ash. We cannot afford another day under her leadership. NRMC cannot blame Obamacare or Medicaid cutbacks during these losses as these government changes were not in effect. Check back in 6 months.

Not to throw Cerner under the bus but the Department Heads and employees and the Board were sold on this fine computer system because it was going to be "budget neutral"! But all the "hidden" costs of come to light and the system is not budget neutral!! One should know that their are no free lunches in the world. Ms. Feuquay and her three minions, that attended the Cerner sales meeting, (two of which are no longer employed) probably can't even sign into the Cerner system.

Also in the past 4 years 35+ Director-level positions have changed. Primarily due to fleeing as fast as they could, being demoted, or flat out fired. Some of the positions have turned over more than once. That is equivalent to every single leader position in the hospital. Let me remind you that one particular employee, one day shy of their 40th NRMC anniversary, was demoted to 3/5th time. Another 35 year employee was escorted out of the hospital like a common thief and several of their belongings had to be mailed to them because they were not allowed back into the building. Another 14 year director was forced to retire 6 months early. One longtime employee was not allowed vacation time to be with her dying father. Let us not forget Sara Lawhorne (God rest her soul) and the multiple times Ms. Feuquay shafted her. Sara outlasted because of her people skills and vibrant personality and her ability to make the "common folk" feel special! These were not voluntary resignations as the newspaper articles like to imply. It is not "A GOOD THING" and ALL is NOT happy within the four walls of NRMC.

People constantly look over their shoulder and are terrified to say a peep for fear of retaliation! The last time I looked, my address still claims I live in America and we are guaranteed certain rights and freedoms. Do you know how difficult it is to take care of the critically ill or start an IV or make a surgical incision when all these stressors are weighing on your mind? Probably not, since you have been known to wine and dine with the Feuquays.

Really, you're going to allow her to conduct All Employee Meetings to answer any questions employees may have? The biggest unspoken question is "why is she still here?" As soon as a new CEO arrives, they will throw all her chaos out the window. She should not be allowed to send people in 1,000 directions! A smooth transition would be for her to BOW OUT GRACEFULLY last Thursday when she was relieved of her duties.!

So Mr. Chairman, I feel sorry for you. Although Ms. Feuquay stated several times in previous articles that the people in Nevada are from a poor socioeconomic status - WE ARE NOT STUPID!! We will gladly hand you a hankie to wipe the egg off your face when Ms. Feuquay finally leaves and you are left explaining her collateral damage to the citizens of this fine town!

-- Posted by GBR-17 on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 5:38 PM
Judy Feuquay always stayed focused on the things that were dear to heart: Her wardrobe, her hair and caressing her own ego. She ran the hospital with no compassion for the patients or those who tried to deliver care.

She will always be remembered for her ability to bully and terrorize those who were not one of her favorites. She has much to answer for. Now that she has made the decision to 'resign' we can only hope that those who supported her ruthless tactics will suffer the same fate.

-- Posted by Holycats on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 5:46 PM
Well things like hiring a psychiatrist and agreeing to pay off he students loans if she stays another year. And she is not very good. And the below average care received in the ER. Those have not helped the bottom line.

-- Posted by Leland Gaunt on Wed, Feb 5, 2014, at 10:44 AM
Dear Mr Gaunt, My family has used the Emergency Room at NRMC a number of times over the past few years and without exception the care has been excellent. In every case the doctors and staff have been professionally excellent, caring and responsive to our needs. I'm sorry you find this to be below average but in a town of our size we are fortunate to have a facility of the quality that NMRC offers....I fear it will not always be so.

-- Posted by flynn on Fri, Feb 7, 2014, at 9:56 AM
Looking Forward...you are obviously one of the country club folks who like to think you are something by sitting and drinking with Jeff and Judy. I once was too until I saw her true colors, now I just try and avoid the room they are in. I was a hospital employee (in a high position) and I saw how she treated people and the patients of NRMC and it made me SICK! I chose to leave in part because of her and to say the new Obama Care (as horrible as it is) has caused the financial problems at the hospital is just plain stupid. We haven't even seen the full affect of that "law" yet and these problems started at least two years ago if not more, when Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement was at his highest. To allow Judy to stay in her position during transition is absolutely insane. The havoc she will cause and the books she will continue to "cook" while still on her "throne" could be the nail in the coffin for NRMC. Cerner was a mistake, plain and simple, that was not research in full by the board and they are part to blame for this downslide. But did anyone even ask what Judy got out of it? That is a question that someone may want to research....it will be a good day for Nevada when these two people are out of Vernon County and I feel bad for the next community that becomes their victim. In all honesty, this may not be able to be turned around and that is sad for Nevada and it's residents.....

-- Posted by tigerproud on Sat, Feb 8, 2014, at 10:49 AM
I also say, "Good Riddance!" I had a complaint against the triage and er there but of course nothing was done about it!

-- Posted by danadre0101 on Fri, Feb 14, 2014, at 12:54 PM
As Americans, it is our privilege to be able to say almost anything. We're not even required to have relevant knowledge to opine. This is especially true when we comment on the character and performance of public figures, including those we don't know particularly well and whose performance we are utterly unqualified to evaluate.

This string of comments is a wonderful example of how free we are to speak our minds. Free speech - that's what it's all about, eh?

"When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need--words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you." Ephesians 4:29(NCV)

-- Posted by Dr Frog on Wed, Feb 26, 2014, at 12:29 PM
Well said Dr. Frog. Free speech comes with responsibility to be good citizens. To Tigerproud: for the record I am not nor have I ever been a member of the country club. Not that I have anything against anyone out there, I just never aspired to necessarily be a member. I know the Feuquays as personal friends and I have never heard them say anything discouraging or negative toward the people of Vernon County. My experience of their friendship has been positive in just about every way one could imagine.

-- Posted by Looking Forward on Thu, Feb 27, 2014, at 8:09 AM

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