Martha’s Vineyard hospital board chairman Timothy Sweet has stepped down as a trustee, the hospital announced Friday morning.
“I personally want to thank Tim for his 21 years of service and commitment to the mission of our hospital. Tim is a dedicated leader,” hospital chief executive officer Denise Schepici said in a press release announcing changes at the top of the hospital board of trustees.
The changes were announced following the hospital annual meeting Friday morning.
Earle (Sandy) Ray will take over as chairman and Deborah Burke will become vice chairman, the release said. Susan Crampton is the new board treasurer and Christopher Scott is the new secretary.
Mr. Ray, a longtime trustee, is in his last year on the board.
Mr. Sweet has served on the hospital board of trustees since 1997. He has been chairman since 2010.
He has helped steer the hospital through some challenging times, including a financial crisis and bankruptcy in the late 1990s. Later he also presided over the major $50 million fundraising campaign to build a new hospital. Last summer he came under fire, along with board vice chairman Edward Miller, for their handling of the abrupt firing of former president and CEO Joseph Woodin.
Mr. Miller will remain on the board as a trustee.
In the release, Mr. Sweet said serving on the hospital board “turned out to be the most humbling and rewarding decision of my life. Through the many challenges and opportunities, what always came shining through was the remarkable and dedicated group of healthcare providers and support staff we have at MVH.”
A hospital spokesman also confirmed Friday that Rachel Vanderhoop, the former longtime director of development who is married to Mr. Sweet, no longer works at the hospital.
Serafina Spatola is serving as interim director of development.
This article appears in June 1, 2018.
It seems that there was a need for change in leadership. Hoping all is on track now.
this is great progress. but we need to deal with the issue that got us into this mess: term limits for both directors and officers. Very common and necessary or this never would have happened in the first place.
And the great ship makes yet another necessary course correction under its new and able captain and commander.
Long overdue, but the hospital is finally on the right track. Tim had a great deal of positive impact there over the years, and contributed so much of his time and energy. But after the abrupt firing of Woodin, and learning about Rachel’s dramatically inflated salary, the public had lost faith that the hospital could ever flourish under that board. Thank you Tim for your years of service to our community and for doing the right thing and stepping down so the hospital can move forward.
‘Bout time.
20 years is a long run. Freshness is a good change. I’m excited.
Congratulations!! What a story. New board member, Julie Fay, and communications director sound promising! Please ask appropriate powers that be about term limits for both directors and officers. Very common and necessary or this never would have happened in the first place.
Hopefully, lesson learned – and the board votes for term limits.
Yes, but what about Ed Miller?
Wow, We are finally seeing some movement in a good direction I hope.
Term Limits a MUST and DIVERSITY A MUST!
Ditto all of the above, especislly term limits that are shorter than 9 years! A viable organization needs to be able to rid itself of dead wood and bring in new talent! Denise Schepici is like a breath of fresh air! Many thanks and keep up the good work!