Cheyenne Hospital CEO Search Underway

The interim Chief Executive Officer of Cheyenne Regional Medical Center says he expects the search for a permanent CEO will probably take about 6-9 months.

Outgoing CEO Margo Karsten recently announced she will be leaving in September to take a position with a Colorado hospital. Patrick Madigan, who had been the President of the hospital Board of Trustees, has been named as interim CEO until a permanent leader for the hospital can be found.

In a Wednesday morning interview, Madigan said he isn't interested in taking over as CEO on a permanent basis and outlined what CRMC will do to fill the position.

He says the first step will be to decide on a corporate "headhunter" to conduct the search. He says there are currently three companies in the running for that function.

Once a company is chosen they will advertise nationally in trade magazines and similar outlets. The headhunter company will screen and vet resumes they receive and narrow the field to a number of credible candidates.

At that point the hospital board and high-ranking CRMC officials will conduct interviews of the candidates and winnow the contenders down to a final choice, who will then be offered the job.

Madigan says the criteria for the job will likely include a background in management of a large health care facility like CRMC. Madigan says that while the search will be a national one, a regional or 'homegrown" background "would be a bonus."

Madigan says the number one priority will be to get someone who will improve patient care at the hospital and be able to deal with the changes in healthcare caused by the Affordable Care Act, modern automation systems and other challenges face by hospitals and clinics these days.

Madigan says the next CEO will probably make between $400,000 and $480.000 a year.