Deaconess Hospital CEO pick backs out of job

The search for a CEO is back on at Deaconess Hospital.

Maurine Cate, selected for the position, decided to keep her current job, said Sasha Weiler, director of communications for Deaconess and Valley hospitals. Weiler said Cate cited personal reasons and a desire to continue her work in Oregon.

“Cate was impressed by Deaconess Hospital, the strength of the team and the success in developing an integrated delivery system,” Weiler wrote in a statement. 

“However, it became clear that her continued leadership was crucial to the completion of projects at her current hospital.”

Cate was to become CEO of Deaconess Hospital in January after leading McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield, Ore., for six years.

Deaconess, the region’s second-largest hospital with 388 beds, is part of the Rockwood integrated health system.

Rod Schumacher, an assistant vice president of operations for Community Health Systems Professional Services Corp., will continue to serve as interim CEO of Deaconess as the search continues.

The previous CEO, Bill Gilbert, left the hospital in April after accepting a corporate position with the hospital’s owner, Community Health Systems.