ELIZABETHTOWN —David Masterson, who served as chief executive officer of Bladen County Hospital and helped in negotiating a lease/ purchase deal with Cape Fear Valley Hospital, has announced he is resigning his position. He has served as CEO since 2003 and plans to depart from BCH in the next 60 to 90 days.
“A lot of the timing will depend on how quickly Cape Fear Valley can place an interim CEO,” said Masterson.
CFV CEO Mike Nagowski said an interim will probably be put in place in about 30 days. Masterson will assist that individual in making the transition into that role.
“David is helping us through the transition. We are sad to see him go,” said Nagowski.
The region is fortunate to have someone of his level of knowledge and expertise here, said Nagowski.
“We want to make sure David has the time to help the person selected as the interim to make the transition into place,” said Nagowski.
He said CFV will work with the community in selecting a new CEO for BCH. Nagowski said that CFV wanted BCH to have its own manger in place.
Masterson has accepted the position of CEO at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton. He said he was initially approached about the position by Interim Sampson Regional CEO Lee Pridgen in June at a meeting they both attended. In July, Pridgen called Masterson to ask if he would accept the position.
“I held off on doing anything,” said Masterson. “I wanted to think about it some more.”
00020000045D00000628457,Masterson said BCH was in the process of going through the transition to CFV’s system. But, when he met the search committee and the board in Sampson County, he was very impressed with the people he had met at the hospital in Clinton. He has met with the search committee and the entire board.
“I wasn’t running away from anything, I wasn’t let go, and I’m not just leaving,” said Masterson of his decision. “Anybody in a leadership position isn’t going to make everyone happy all the time.”
Masterson said he can leave BCH with a “peaceful mind” knowing that the affiliation process with CFV is complete.
“I feel it’s the right thing,” said Masterson. “At Sampson there is a lot of emphasis on outpatient programs and the number of physicians is greater.”
At BCH, Masterson said things are looking brighter. He said there is a new family practitioner starting at Bladen Medical Associates; four new mid-level professionals are expected at Bladen Medical; and Dr. Bill Birmingham, a newly hired surgeon, has begun practicing with Dr. Lopes; and a new pediatrician is starting next week, according to Masterson.
00020000049F00000A7F499,“We got our capital budget approved for next year,” said Masterson.
He expects work to begin on the new roof in the near future.
“We’ve also been notified that we have won a national award for improving in patient satisfaction for outpatient care,” said Masterson.
The award is called the Compass Award and Masterson expects BCH to be presented with the it later this year.
Masterson said when he was first hired, the picture wasn’t always so cheery.
“The financials were big surprise. It was surprising to the board as well,” said Masterson. “Some people speculate I was mislead when I was hired. I’m not so sure I was mislead. I’m not so sure anyone really understood the situation.”
Masterson said when he first arrived at BCH, the focus moved to being a critical care access facility and the hospital at that time was well equipped with physicians.
“Probably my biggest regret is we couldn’t maintain the physician compliment,” said Masterson of his tenure.
Masterson said he feels the timing is right to make the move to Clinton.
“For BCH, its a good time for a change in leadership,” said Masterson. “When I first got here, I told everyone I’d be here for five years.”
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