KAPLOWITZ RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PERMANENT MANAGEMENT AT MEDICAL CENTER PASSES FULL BOARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2006
Contact: Michael B. Kaplowitz
Tel: (914) 995-2848 or (914) 924-3404 cell
“The Westchester Medical Center is now operating with a surplus…it’s time for their Board of Directors to finalize their business with Pitts Management and transition to permanent Management.” -- Kaplowitz
Westchester County Legislator Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), chairman of the County Board’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, today led the full Board of Legislators in a unanimous vote passing his Resolution calling for the transition to permanent management at the Westchester Medical Center to be finalized over the next few months. “The Westchester Medical Center is now operating with a surplus for the second year in a row, even without any funding from the State. Therefore, the time is appropriate for the Medical Center’s Board of Directors to finalize their business with their consultant, Pitts Management and transition to permanent management at the hospital.”
Since June 2004, the Westchester County Health Care Corporation (WCHCC) has been under contract with Pitts Management Associates, Inc. – the consulting firm that was hired for the purpose of operational restructuring and fiscal turnaround of the Westchester Medical Center. “Since that time, many of the financial goals set forth through this agreement have been realized, and this vital regional tertiary care facility is now on its way to financial stability and independence,” Kaplowitz said in his Resolution.
Kaplowitz’ Resolution notes that the contract between Pitts Management and WCHCC is set to expire on March 31, 2007. Coupled with the fact that the Legislature today also passed a measure that reduces the maximum allowable County-backed credit line for the Medical Center from $85 million to $80 million, Kaplowitz says that “the time is now” for Westchester County Health Care Corporation’s Board of Directors to put permanent management in place at the Medical Center.
“The bottom line is, the time has come for WCHCC’s Board of Directors to complete the transition to permanent management at the Westchester Medical Center, and I would like to see that done by the conclusion of their contract with Pitts Management, March 31, 2007, or as soon as practicable,” Kaplowitz stated.
According to Kaplowitz, in addition to the ongoing financial support provided by Westchester County and the State, the WCHCC Board of Directors, together with Interim President & CEO
Michael Israel and the other members of the Pitts Management Team “have done an excellent job in financially turning around the Westchester Medical Center and have set the institution on its way to financial independence,” he said. “The strength and resolve of the doctors, nurses and other Hospital staff kept the Medical Center going strong while these changes were taking place.”
In a November 29, 2006 letter to the WCHCC Board of Directors Kaplowitz wrote, “I believe this move toward establishing permanent management will send the appropriate signal to the financial community and the general community at large regarding the fiscal well-being of the Medical Center. Further, permanent management will allow the Westchester Medical Center to grow and succeed as contemplated under the 1997 Transition Agreement”.
Click here to view the Resolution.
