Board action prompts Graham’s resignation

The Donley County Hospital Board delivered an ultimatum to district administrator Alan Graham during a special meeting Monday night, calling for him to step down immediately or face termination.

The unanimous decision came after the board met with its attorney, James Shelton, in closed session for half an hour.

Graham formally resigned Tuesday morning, board president Don Thornberry said.

 “The board decided we needed a change,” Thornberry said. “Alan Graham has done a good job, and he is part of a team that has brought a lot of respect to the hospital district and Medical Center Nursing Home.”

Thornberry refused to state publicly any reason for the board’s decision.

 “This is just going to be better for Alan and better for the hospital district,” he said.

Assistant Administrator Holly Eads has taken charge of the district’s administrative duties, and she said the board will hold another called meeting this Saturday at noon to determine the district’s next steps.

“We will begin advertising for an interim administrator,” Eads said. “We have to have an interim in place within 30 days.”

Monday’s action followed a regular meeting on February 14 in which the board met with all MCNH department heads regarding policies and procedures for ordering and documenting incoming supplies. The board then met in closed session for over an hour with Eads and afterward voted to close credit card accounts at Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Sam’s, and Home Depot and appointed Eads to be in charge of purchasing and receiving for the nursing home.

District officials refused to say whether or not last week’s actions were directly related to the action taken against Graham this week.

“We just needed to improve our procedures,” Eads said.

Graham said he was surprised by the board’s decision and does not know what prompted it, but he said he is staying upbeat.

“I look at it as an opportunity,” he said. “I’ve still got a lot of things I want to accomplish in my life.”

“I think the board and I have worked well together, and I think the people of Donley County should be proud of the facilities and the level of health care they have here.”