Hospital CEO resigns
By Brandy Nance (Contact)
Originally published 03:23 p.m., June 26, 2008
Updated 03:23 p.m., June 26, 2008
Terry Lambert, chief executive officer of Newman Regional Health, resigned on Wednesday, effective immediately.
Speaking from his home this morning, Lambert said the resignation was his decision. He also resigned from QHR, the hospital’s management company.
“It was just a personal decision,” he said. “It’s something that I wanted to do for myself and my professional career. This was absolutely my decision. I’ve been there a long time and I think it’s time to move on and do something different.”
Lambert has been administrator and CEO at Newman since 1996. He entered the health-care industry in 1979, first as assistant controller and then chief financial officer of Helena Hospital in Helena, Ark. He then helped turn around the finances of Lee Memorial County Hospital in Marianna, Ark., in his first position as chief executive officer.
Lambert said he has enjoyed his time at Newman.
“Certainty, it was a good relationship,” he said. “I enjoyed working with the board and they have a great group of employees there. I’m certainty going to miss them. I just felt like it was the right time to move.”
Fred Harder, Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees chair, said in a press release that Lambert will be available to help in the transition to an interim CEO. QHR, the management company for the hospital, will begin recruitment for an interim administrator. The search for a new CEO will be nationwide, Harder stated.
“QHR will assist in screening applicants for final selection by Newman’s Board of Trustees,” Harder said.
During his 12-year tenure, Lambert has seen Newman through several projects and substantial growth, Harder said.
“In addition to many smaller renovation projects, he oversaw several major construction projects including the Newman Medical Plaza physician office building; the three-story main entrance building housing expanded outpatient services and an inpatient rehabilitation unit; the cancer center and a cardiac catheterization facility,” the press release stated.
The press release also stated that the hospital’s image, under Lambert’s direction, was transformed from a county hospital to a regional medical center.
“Lambert helped the hospital fulfill its new name and regional image through the expansion of existing hospital services as well as establishing many new services including kidney dialysis, sleep center, MRI, wound care clinic, helicopter transport, retail medical equipment store and an employee assistance program,” the release stated.
Lambert also testified many times before state and national legislative committees. He spoke in opposition to Medicare budget cuts, addressed governmental regulations and spoke in support of measures that strengthen community hospitals.
Lambert also was active in the Emporia Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, Joint Economics Development Advisory Council, Regional Development Association and the Healthier Community Alliance.
“We appreciate the leadership that Terry has provided to our healthcare community for so many years,” Harder said. “His commitment and dedication to Newman and to improvements in healthcare have made a lasting impact on our community.”
Lambert declined this morning to say what his plans are..
Comments
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Posted by hartford (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's about time that he left!
Posted by gazette_reader (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The stupefying part is that he was allowed to stay as long as he did.
May your next opportunity be a better fit for you, Mr. Lambert.
Posted by mythoughts (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Looking forward to some fresh, new, concerned, competent leadership there!
Posted by sowhat (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now if the rest of his entourage resigns the hospital can move in the right direction.
Posted by rcr (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The next administartor should be someone who thinks less of building his empire and more of caring for the community. The direction the Hospital has taken with continued expansion into the Neighborhoods without a care of the negative impact to the residents can now be stopped.
The Hospital Board is the next focus of opportunity.
Posted by Summer_Breeze (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This seems like good news for the hospital and the community. I hope the next administrator will NOT come from among Mr. Lambert's current cohorts in the hospital. I wonder how much the firestorm over Dr. Barnett's recent comments had to do with this decision?
Posted by TacoBellB (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think you nailed it Summer. I also wonder about all the people who bashed Dr. Barnett - how they feel about this change - now is what he did worth it or do they still want to bash?
Posted by irish_setter (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rcr . . . it is interesting to me that you see the additions as him "building his empire." But if you or someone you love ever needed the cancer center or needed to be life flighted or needed to use any of the number of additions, you would probably be so thankful that Emporia has those resources available, which is in part because of Mr. Lambert's leadership and vision. And on the flip side, if you ever needed these services and they weren't available, you would probably be angry that Mr. Lambert hadn't worked to bring these services to Emporia. . . seems like you put him and the hospital in a no-win situation.
Posted by rcr (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I actually have used the services you have talked about. And understand their importance. The Helicopter could have been Sited in a way that the impact on the adjoining neighborhood would have been lessened to nly have take offs and landings when it was needed for Hospital business. Currently the helicpter takes off and lands when a need is there for Non-Newman business, to perform the daily checks and to ferry the pilots in and out during their watch. Unneeded and unneccesary flights that impact the neighborhood with every takeoff and landing that has nothing to do with saving a life at Newman's. So be careful when throwing stones with an uninformed opinion. When I was Life-flighted out, there was plenty of time to bring the helicopter in from the airport.
Posted by EsqEB (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"When I was Life-flighted out, there was plenty of time to bring the helicopter in from the airport."
You do realize that is not always the case? That most of the time when someone is life-flighted out that the majority of the time seconds count. But I suppose as long as YOU were saved is all that matters, everyone else can just go....well, go die on the tarmac waiting for the helicopter to fly in, so as to not inconvenience you.
Posted by emporian (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That helicopter has saved countless lives by being in Emporia. When we have a serious accident in this county or a surrounding county time is of the essence and Newman's is not where they need to be. When someone has a heart attack or stroke and needs to be to a specialty care center ASAP it is there. When the ER needs help or a pt needs to be flown having the helicopter there helps with continuity of care or in some cases life savign procedures preformed in the ER by the flight crew. That helicopter has saved more lives than you can fathom.
Posted by gazette_reader (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As someone in the neighborhood, my issue isn't with us having a helicopter. We needed a helicopter. My issue was with how the hospital went about adding the helicopter, and where it is located. They sent neighbors letters saying "This is how it's going to be, and we're not going through zoning or anything." They land it in the ONLY spot that is immediately adjacent to residential housing.
Surely they knew when they were building a cancer center that they would ultimately be adding a helicopter. Why not design the CC to allow the helicopter to land on the roof?
I'm glad we have a helicopter, but the way the hospital handled it, and I'm sorry to say, the way the newspaper reported it (they never GOT that the neighbors were mainly upset about the location, not the fact that there was going to be a helicopter), just left a really bad aftertaste.
Posted by supernanny (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I completely agree with emporian. I lived in the neighborhood close to the hospital, and never once did I feel like the helicopter was a problem. It has saved and will save many lives. Sometimes poeple should stop and think before they put things on here for others to read.
Posted by jackslap (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 1:32 p.m.
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Posted by Observation (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Raymond, I thought you moved away from hospital neighborhood!! Relax.
Posted by create (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The time it takes to drive out to the airport to fetch the helicopter is often precious time that can be better spent on life-saving techniques, even in the air.
Daily checks are absolutely necessary if a vehicle of flight is expected to be ready to fly at a moment's notice.
The helicopter flight path is over my home and everytime she flies over I think about how lucky we are to have such a feature in place in such a tiny town. We are all lucky, even those who complain.
As far as Terry Lambert is concerned, I doubt we will ever learn the real reason for his leaving because privacy is always something to be guarded zealously with regard to employment issues. Just as it works for you at your job, it works for him at his.
Posted by anonymous08 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rcr----That helicopter is the best thing that NRH has going for it. You know what the day you need to be life-flighted out of emporia for better medical care you will be thanking the big man upstairs. That helicopter is also saving other peoples lives out of emporia i know they call it out to other communities. so don't think they are just out flying around to disturbe you if you don't like it MOVE!!!! Cause i can hear it at my house and it does not bother me one bit because i know they are doing good things.
Posted by jackslap (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What about freedom of speech?
Posted by rcakmon (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...a lot of negative people posting here.
Good luck, Mr. Lambert. I hope you find a new position where you'll be appreciated!
Posted by busybody (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 6:11 p.m.
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Posted by jenxyjenx (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:02 p.m.
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Posted by jenxyjenx (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank God! (how about that? PC enough to leave posted?)
Posted by zippy (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love watching the helicopter fly in and out! How lucky we are!
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its about dang time...no one was ever going to fire him but at least maybe he got the message that the hospital lacks leadership. I hope he takes his side kick with him.
Posted by emporiablogger (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 6:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Terry, thanks for trying to make Emporia's heathcare better, which you did. Paula, good luck in his spot. Try to be perfect or the anonomous bloggers will crucify you.
Posted by Doctor2 (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just a question we need to ask ourselves? Everyone is required to make medical choices, patient and doctors. The medical community wants growth and more medical services locally... better specialized care!!!! Why would a specialized physician want to joint a medical organization were local patients are sent away to receive the same standard and quality care available without travel? How does a hospital build or purchase new equipment if the studies or precedures are preformed out of town?
Dr. Barnett's and Dr. Kosko's articles made comments about support of hospital and other local physician groups. The next time your asked to drive out of town for a procedure you my want to ask why and if the procedure could be done locally? Maybe all we need as a medical community is an ER, more helicopters and ties to larger organizations????
Posted by CassieJo (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know others besides myself that have been told by employees at Newmans in the radiology dept that some test can't be done here even tho they have the equipment to do them. They advise you to go out of town! And YES that has been recently!!!!
Posted by CassieJo (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The physicians haven't been the ones to tell myself and others to go out of town, it was the Radiology Dept. themselves. I have spoke to them personally! It seems that if anyone from medical arts clinic wants testing to be done radiologys answer is ... NO!
Posted by netloafer (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not able to speak to the financials of Newman, but I can speak anecdotally about the radiology department. About a month ago my wife had a series of episodes of what she thought might be bad cases of indigestion. After the first trip to the E.R. the consensus was that there was a problem in the digestive tract. After the second episode she was admitted and further tests were ordered. The most significant test was a treadmill/stress test to get radiological information on her heart. Upon completion of the second part of the test the radiologist and our family physician picked up some abnormalities and it was determined that a heart cath was the best course of action. She was taken to KU Med Center where the procedure was performed. The cardiologist found the right coronary artery was 95% blocked. Two stents were inserted to normalize the blood flow. She is now at home on the mend and she hasn't felt this good in many months.
The reason I mention all of this is that at no time did anyone from radiology or anyone else at Newman refuse to run the treadmill/stress test or discourage it.. In fact, we are grateful for the professional and caring way the radiology staff treated my wife. We're also grateful that they were able to find the abnormality. We're also very grateful for the way KU Medical Center treated her. Under the worst kind of circumstance we felt very cared for by a large number of very competent professionals, including those at Newman.
While I can't speak to the financials of Newman, I can say unequivocally that my wife was treated with kindness and professionalism. I can also say that the radiologist told us that they had very good equipment to work with. I'm grateful that Newman made the investment in the equipment. It was a life saver for my wife!
Posted by Doctor2 (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CassieJo,
I believe that could be part of the problem but not only in Radiology. Certain exams may not be requested enough to document training of staff, additional equipment or materials to preform the exam. Example: Someone has chest cold locally, why would a physician send them 1or 2 hr's away to have the x-ray completed. The local hospital did not receive income from chest x-ray, CT and Lab. Medical community disappointed due to radiology not having new equipment and wait time because FTE was taken away from department due to decrease in x-ray procedures. Most patients will do as the physician request without asking. Why would a physician request the patient travel without consulting someone local first? We, as a group need a larger joint effort to keep everything local as much as possible! Patients should be given choices, not sent out of town just to pad pockets of that group or facility. We have great Dr.'s available in Surgery, Urology, Oncology, and Cardiology ect..... Helicopters on the way!!!
Posted by CassieJo (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The physicians haven't been the ones to tell myself and others to go out of town, it was the RADIOLOGY DEPT. themselves when we were trying to get the tests scheduled!!
We were told to go to KU by the radiology staff!!
I never said the Dr.'s told anyone to go out of town.
I also called and talked to the administrator Terry Lambert about it and he said he would return my call. To this day he has never returned any of my calls!!!
Posted by justamom (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am thankful everyday when i hear the helicopter. Thankful for the daily runs to make sure that helicopter is ready, in the sad chance, that it is needed to save a life. I agree with gazette_reader that it would have been a great idea to place the heliport on the roof of the new Cancer Center, however, I am confident in the fact that developers, and staff explored all avenues. Every second counts, and I hope that if I or anyone in my family ever needs that helicopter ride, the few moments saved being closer will be worth it. We should be thankful that we do have it, and the newer nicer facility. Regardless of noise or who was in-charge when it was placed there and renovations made. It is benefiting Emporia and the surrounding communities, and that is all that matters.
Posted by sowhat (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CassieJo, radiologist are consults for the physicans. They read exams and do procedures order by you attending physican. The radiologist have limited contact with patients in general. If anyone wants you to get your exams done out of town it would be the other medical groups who are contracted by hospitals in Topeka and Wichita. The radiologist have a contract only with Newman hospital.
Posted by CassieJo (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL .... After waiting several weeks to have the test scheduled I spoke to Radiology staff personally in their little offices at NEWMAN Hospital. I can give you all the names of the EMPLOYEES in the radiology dept. of Newmans that told us to go elsewhere for the test to be done!! I can take you to their offices!! IT WAS NOT THE DR"S that said go out of town to have the test done it was NEWMANS RADIOLOGY DEPT!!
Posted by sowhat (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The employees of the Radiology dept. are hired by Newman. Administration has let the Radiology employees get away with their actions that you speak of CassieJo. I'm sure the reason they tell patients this is because they just don't want to do the work. They have bettetr things to do like go shopping at wal mart while on the clock.
Posted by netloafer (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can only speak about my wife's recent experience at Newman. The radiology department was kind, professional, caring. No one in that department, nor anyone else at Newman told us to get the needed tests done somewhere else. As I said in an earlier post, my wife and I are glad the tests were done and the problem was found.
Posted by kma (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
cassie jo,
I think what you need to do is take your family to a place that exams are not performed and let them give a diagnosis for your family. Very Smart!!! Evidently you have NO medical knowledge that is useful. The radiology dept treats thier patients like they are family. There is a reason there are level 1 trauma centers. These people perform these test everyday. I do not know about you, but I will travel across the world to go to a place that they perform special tests. This is how it is everywhere. I worked in Wichita for several years and we still sent out pts to Kansas City and elsewhere so that they could receive the best care possible. Lets put our family first.
Posted by CassieJo (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LMAO!!!!!
KMA unless you were there you haven't a clue .......
The RADIOLOGIST HIMSELF told me and my family that they have the equipment to do it .....
The Dr's office ordered the test ... the RADIOLOGY dept. wouldnt even return their calls to get them scheduled. Thats when I went to the hospital in person to find out why it was taking so long to get them scheduled.
The RADIOLOGIST himself said they "could" do the test here but wasn't willing to because NEWMANS wasn't making all the profits from it is what it boiled down to.
Why go out of town for a procedure that can be done here?
I can see why Dr. Barnett decided he had had enough and spoke outloud!
Posted by kma (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you are Dr Barnetts patient, then you know that the only exams sent to the radiology dept. are non paying pts. They can do all exams in thier office, but due to wanting to make all the profit they send all the medicare and medicaid exams to NRH. Also it is not radiologys responsibility to scedule exams.
Posted by netloafer (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Again, I can only speak from experience. My wife's mother and devopmentally disabled brother live next door to us. One is one Medicare, the other on Medicaid. Neither of them has ever had any problems getting tests scheduled or done at Newman. I'm on Medicare, with a supplement and have had no problem whatsoever with diagnostic tests at Newman either.
Also, none of us has had any billing problems with Newman concerning Medicare, Medicaid, or my wife's insurance.
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
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Posted by sciguy (anonymous) on July 1, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lambert's inexplicable disregard for the neighborhoods surrounding the hospital will always be a sore spot with residents.
The difference in the number of lives saved by the helicopter in its current location, and the number of lives that would have been saved by the helicopter if its landing pad had been placed in a more logical location such as the roof of the Cancer Center, is exactly ZERO.
Lambert's motives in railroading the helicopter pad through and refusing to genuinely investigate more suitable locations for the landing pad were clearly not to the benefit of the community. In fact, considering that the Hospital revisited their long term plan with the city and now wants to expand to the South, one might wonder whether the motivation to put the helipad where it is had more to do with intentionally encroaching on or devaluing properties that they later intend to acquire.
It's all moot now--with Emporia's economy collapsing, and the rest of the area and world not far behind, there will be no need and no money to expand the hospital any time in the foreseeable future.
Posted by TPK (anonymous) on July 15, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry about the location of the helicopter pad. I work at a larger hospital in topeka that has the helicopter land multiple times a night and I am on the complete opposite side of the hospital and can still hear the thing land, so putting 500ft away from the spot it is now only elevated on a roof top would still make it heard. Putting it on a roof doesn't make it sound proof.
Posted by Joe_Strummer (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In regards to the location of the helicopter: It is in the most logical location for the geography of the hospital. The heli-pad is right outside the ER, (where most of the life-flighted patients originate). Carting patients all the way from the Emergency Room to the roof of the cancer center is absolutely senseless.
For those who disagree, take some time and walk from the ER exit over to the cancer center. You'll go down the long hall way at Newman's, through the medical office building, through the hall that connects the office building and the cancer center, where you will finally arrive. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
As far as CassieJo......no one here has the guts to say it so I will. Bullcrap!! My guess on what really happened is 1 of 2 things: You either didn't like what you were told, or simply didn't understand what you were told about the procedure you mention, and morphed that into "The hospital refused to perform a procedure."
As far as the person who says the employees in Radiology go shopping on the clock instead of performing x-rays......well that is almost too stupid to respond to.
Posted by sowhat (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Joe_Strummer maybe you should re-read what I said. I never said they refuse to do exams so they can go to wal mart. They do however leave while on the clock to run around town to places like wal mart. This I do know for a fact. Make sure before you get aggressive in your response that you know what your talking about.
Posted by Joe_Strummer (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agressive in my response sowhat? How is my calling your post too stupid to respond to agressive? Did I threaten you physically? Agressive....no. Pretty accurate...yes.
This is what you posted earlier:
" The employees of the Radiology dept. are hired by Newman. Administration has let the Radiology employees get away with their actions that you speak of CassieJo. I'm sure the reason they tell patients this is because they just don't want to do the work. They have bettetr things to do like go shopping at wal mart while on the clock."
The actions CassieJo spoke of was Radiology staff refusing to perform x-rays.
I assume this is what you are referring to when you say "the reason they tell people this."
So what exactly were you referring to then???? Sounds like the refusal to perform exams to me.
Posted by sowhat (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW...point taken. Kudos! That was a stupid comment!!!!! Trust.
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