Foundation Hospital board rescinds terminations; contracts under negotiation

The terminations of Drs. Steven McPherson and Donna Tesi’s contracts were overturned this morning during a special meeting of the Hospital Service District 1 Board of Commissioners.
Just over two weeks ago the board that oversees Franklin Foundation Hospital terminated the physicians’ contracts without cause with 90 days’ notice. In that time FFH Executive Officer Claudia Eisenmann was instructed to renegotiate the contracts.
In talks during the special meeting today it was learned that McPherson’s current contract is set to expire on March 31. Tesi’s current contract runs through September.
Almost 50 people crowded the small board meeting room of the hospital this morning seeking redress of the issue.
The only item on the agenda was consideration of rescinding the termination of physician contracts as well as time for public comment.
Former city councilman John O’Niell addressed the board first to ask that everyone hold their comments to the issue at hand and avoid personal attacks.
“My wife Lisa and I have been here 8 years,” McPherson told the board. “This is our home, our kids are in school. We love Franklin, period. We want everybody to know that. We’re trying hard to stay here.
“I don’t know exactly how we got here,” McPherson continued. “It probably falls on both sides. But we’re here. Let’s not make this any worse. We’ve got a great hospital here. All the pieces are in place. There’s no reason we can’t take it to the next level. Just take a step back. Let’s talk to each other and get this thing done the right way.”
After discussion of correct procedure the board voted unanimously to rescind the 90-day terminations and directed Eisenmann to negotiate in good faith new contracts for both physicians to take effect April 1. Current contracts are to run their course through March 31.
“These doctors have put down roots here in Franklin, and I think that when you renegotiate the contracts you should make them more appealing,” said Centerville resident Diane Nugent during public comment.
(See complete story in Monday’s edition of the Banner-Tribune.)