Sanger to step down as hospital head

Wrangell Medical Center interim CEO Marla Sanger last week announced her intention to conclude her contract on October 30. In a letter addressed to friends and colleagues, she explained the decision was a difficult one, but Sanger will be returning to Vancouver, Wash., to be with family.

Sanger had initially been brought aboard in November 2012 as part of PeaceHealth’s leadership contract with Wrangell’s hospital. Initially the contract was to have lasted only a year, but Sanger stayed on as the hospital transitioned past a troubled attempt to build a new facility.

Her tenure has seen challenges as well, with the hospital’s financial situation reaching a critical condition last November. Though still on the mend, WMC’s finances have improved since then, with cash reserves back to over $640,000 by the end of May. An agreement was reached earlier this month with TrueBridge LLC to handle the hospital’s billing services, which Sanger had explained should increase efficiency and improve revenue inflow.

In an accompanying release, PeaceHealth explained Sanger’s departure will mark the end of its leadership contract with WMC. When she finishes it will be up to the hospital board of trustees to find a replacement of its own.

“Our next step is to get together and discuss what direction we want to take,” explained board president Terri Henson. As its meeting scheduled for June 17 was cancelled, the board is next expected to meet on July 15.

Afterward, Henson explained the board will likely meet with the city manager, who will eventually have to review and approve its CEO selection.

“We knew this day would come,” said Henson. However, she expressed her gratitude for the work Sanger and PeaceHealth have put in to the hospital over the past three years.

“We still have that relationship,” Henson added, explaining other contracts with PeaceHealth will continue, such as its pharmacy services.

In its release, the health care nonprofit noted Wrangell is now in a good position to seek for itself a permanent hospital director. It added: “PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center and WMC will continue to work supportively and look for future partnership opportunities, such as the sharing of specialty providers to help meet the demands of each community and strengthen the level of care available throughout Southeast Alaska.”