Leaving Newport

Newport hospital CEO Merry-Ann Keane accepts Ilwaco job

NEWPORT – Newport hospital Chief Executive Officer Merry- Ann Keane is leaving her position to take a job with Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Centers in Ilwaco, Washington. Her last day here will be Sept. 15. Keane came to Newport Oct. 31, 2022. She replaced Tom Wilbur, who had been CEO since 2004. Keane says that she will be closer to family on the west side of the state. She praised the hospital district’s leadership team. “My time in Newport was well spent!” Keane said. “We have the most amazing leadership team that allowed the District to grow and thrive. I believe that the District will remain independent and sustainable for many years to come. I am excited to see how far the District can grow.” She said she was moving to be closer to her family. “Moving to the west side allows me to be closer to my daughter and grandchild,” Keane said. Kim Manus, the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer, will serve as the Interim Chief Executive Officer. Recruitment plans for a new CEO have not been announced, according to Jenny Smith, public information officer for the hospital district. The board announced Keane’s resignation at the Aug. 22 regular board meeting.

For now, Manus will be interim CEO. Manus started with the hospital in 1986. She has been Business Office Manager/ Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for NHHS.

Manus will follow Keane’s work on the hospital district’s strategic plan, which, according to the news release, has made significant progress under Keane’s leadership. Express Care service expansion, MRI service expansion, respiratory therapy expansion, and switching to live human telephone operators are just a few of the successful initiatives completed in 2024.

In early 2023, Keane rallied the teams to turnaround the district’s projected $3.2 million budget shortfall; by year-end, the district’s bottom line was positive. Keane was also instrumental in leading the charge to bring labor and delivery services back to Newport Community Hospital, after a yearlong closure beginning in 2022.

The board of commissioners held two special meetings in August. Wednesday, Aug. 7 the board met to discuss litigation in a closed session. Thursday, Aug. 15, the board met again in closed session to discuss personnel.

At the end of the Aug. 15 meeting, the board directed board chair Lois Robertson to “finalize severance agreement on behalf of the hospital district,” according to the minutes. Robertson did not reply to emails and a phone call seeking clarification as to who was getting the severance and how much it was. Keane was hired for $235,000 a year.

Keane said the severance pay was part of her employment agreement with the hospital district. She said she was not asked by the board to step down.

While the board announced Keane’s departure at its regular board meeting Aug. 22, it is unclear when Keane gave notice.

Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics issued a news release Aug. 15 welcoming Keane.

“After a thorough search and vetting process, Merry-Ann was our top pick,” said Nancy Gorshe, OBHMC Board Chair in the news release. “She has excellent healthcare management experience, hands-on medical provider experience, and is an advocate for advancements in rural healthcare.

“We are thrilled to have a proven leader of Merry-Ann’s stature assume this executive position.”