Dr. Thomas Malone Thursday announced his resignation as president and CEO of Summa Health, 21 days after more than 240 physicians signed a no-confidence letter calling for his departure.
Malone, a Northeast Ohio native who began leading the health system two years ago, will continue to serve as CEO for up to 60 days while Summa’s board of directors conducts a search for his successor, the board said.
What Malone’s impending exit means for Summa is unclear as the hospital system fights to maintain its independence in an ever-changing, highly competitive health care environment. Cincinnati-based Mercy Health already holds a 30 percent ownership stake in Summa, Summit County’s largest employer.
At the same time, Summa committed last year to invest $350 million in its Akron-area facilities over the next 10 years, including a new six-floor, 300,000 square-foot facility expansion downtown.
Jim McIlvaine, who chairs Summa’s board of directors, sent a letter to employees and physicians late Thursday afternoon saying that the board had received and accepted Malone’s resignation. In the letter, McIlvaine praised Malone’s financial accomplishments and said the “board remains committed to pursuing the strategies that will maintain Summa Health’s independence and strengthen the organization.”
Check back on Ohio.com for more on this developing story.