The separation agreement between McDonough District Hospital and former CEO Bill Murdock was released Wednesday, 40 days after his final day of work.
Portions of the agreement, which were provided to The Community News Brief by Vice President for Business Strategy Patrick Osterman, states:
• Murdock will receive the equivalent of nine months of base compensation payable in bi-weekly installments minus legally required payroll taxes and withholdings (total of $318,750).
• Murdock releases any and all other claims or causes of action that he may have against any of the Released Parties, whether or not related to his employment with the MDH, arising at any time on or before his execution of this Agreement.
• Murdock shall not publish or utter, whether in writing or orally, any negative or disparaging statements about the character, competence, business practices, health care practices, products, or services of MDH or any of the Released Parties. MDH will instruct the Board of Directors and Executive employees not to publish or utter, whether in writing or orally, any negative or disparaging statements about the character or competence of Employee.
• Murdock has not nor will directly or indirectly disclose to anyone or use for his own benefit or the benefit of anyone other than MDH any confidential information.
The Community News Brief has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the full terms of the agreement.
At the May 18 Board meeting, the Board decided in closed session that McDonough District Hospital's (MDH) Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Wayne Laramie would be terminated immediately, and Murdock would be terminated without cause with a 60-day notice in place. Following a closed session at a later meeting on July 8, Chair Dan O'Neill called the meeting back into to open session, and two motions were formally made, which were described as 'backdating' the votes that were taken May 18: to allow CEO Bill Murdock to terminate Chief Nursing Officer Wayne Laramie, and to terminate, without cause, CEO Bill Murdock. The Board voted unanimously on Laramie's discharge; Board Member Jere Greuel cast the lone 'no' vote on Murdock's departure.
Murdock was named as the permanent CEO in May 2024 after serving as the interim CEO/president when then-CEO Brian Dietz was ousted in December 2023 after reaching a mutual separation agreement, totaling $325,000. Before being named interim CEO following Dietz's departure, he had served as the hospital's Chief Financial Officer since April 2019.
Wanda Foster, retired vice president of nursing/Chief Nursing Officer, has been named the interim Chief Executive Officer of McDonough District Hospital (MDH), effective July 18, until a permanent CEO is selected. The CEO search committee will begin working with Buffkin/Baker, LLC of Kansas City, MO to begin the search the hospital's next leader.
