RANGELY — Jason McCormick and Rangely District Hospital have parted ways.
A separation agreement was reached last Thursday, said Jack Rich, chairman of the RDH board of directors. McCormick had been CEO of the hospital since January 2006.
“We did sign a confidentiality agreement, so that is our official position,” Rich said. “Other than that, since we agreed it is a mutual separation, I can’t get into details.”
Attempts to reach McCormick were unsuccessful.
“I know there will be a lot of speculation on why and how this happened,” Rich said. “It is in the best interest (of both parties not to comment). Jason and I had been talking about this for about a week. It was a mutual agreement by both sides.”
At the same time it was announced McCormick was out as CEO, the hospital board introduced Merrill Frank, who is a former CEO at RDH from 1997 to 1999, would fill the position on an interim basis.
“He will be taking over,” Rich said. “He has already established a management team until he gets back Aug. 2.”
Frank will assume his new duties at that time. He will stay on until a new CEO is hired.
“His primary function will be to seek and hire his replacement,” Rich said. “We’ve set a goal of four to six months (to hire a new CEO), though with Merrill’s experience and expertise, we don’t have to rush things. We can make sure we make the right decision.”