Mineral Community Hospital CEO Ron Gleason turned in his letter of resignation late last week. Gleason has been at the hospital for nearly four years and brought with him over 25 years of experience with small, rural critical access hospitals.

“This is a huge blow to those of us who understand what a central role he played in the turnaround of our hospital. He will be missed. It is unlikely we will again be able to attract anyone near his caliber,” said Mineral Community Hospital Board of Directors Chairman John Woodland.

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the hospital administration as a result of the upcoming Mineral County Hospital Board elections on May 8. In an open letter sent to the Mineral Independent last month, some members of the Superior Ambulance wrote that the quality of care was one of the big topics of discussion and was a main reason several of them are running for the open seats.

“Our primary motive is to improve patient care,” the letter said. “Decisions being made by the Hospital Administration do not appear to be in the best interest of patient care.”

Woodland said, “it can be very demoralizing to work so hard and successfully bring an institution back from the brink (with the help of the voters) only to be publicly attacked by people who know only part of the story”.

Gleason was instrumental in a number of improvements to the hospital, including the 2015 hospital levy passed by county residents. The funds kept the hospital doors open and paid off nearly $1 million of outstanding debts. The hospital is one of the county’s largest employers and is needed for local care as well as accident victims. Interstate 90 runs through Mineral County as is one of the most dangerous highways in the nation and Mineral Community is the nearest hospital.

Gleason also worked to bring in a telestroke unit, telecardiology, and telepsychiatry which provides rural patients with specialists and care through long-distance connections. These services gives patients better care and better medical outcomes.

In today’s issue of the Mineral Independent, another letter to the editor by hospital employees states, “we believe our current management is a drastic and positive improvement from the administration we had here approximately five years ago. It is because of the knowledge, dedication, and perseverance of our present administration that Mineral Community Hospital has remained open and available to the public.”

The letter goes on to state, “the financial aspect of the hospital is an important part of patient care. Without the careful consideration of finances, our doors would close and we would not be here for the community. We need these funds to make our departments run in a safe and efficient manner. We provide many services, and great patient care is our main concern. The financial aspect must be taken into consideration, but does not in any way “supersede patient care.”

(See complete letter, Page A9.)

Gleason did not return calls to the Mineral Independent regarding his resignation. He will remain in his position until the end of June.