Shakeup at Foundation continues

Allan Von Werder was unseated as chairman of the Hospital Service District 1 Board of Commissioners by his fellow board members in a special meeting Wednesday at Franklin Foundation Hospital.
The action was just the latest in a series of moves by the board that has elicited objections from many residents. Von Werder and Commissioner Didi Battle did not attend the meeting.
Also Wednesday, the board retained the legal services of Murphy J. Foster III’s Baton Rouge law firm Breazeale, Sachse and Wilson, “in order to uphold our reputation, to keep from being slandered and vilified,” said Commissioner Clegg Caffery.
Last week Claudia Eisenmann, the hospital’s chief executive officer on board for just over six months, retained the same legal counsel threatening defamation, libel and slander suits against Drs. Brent Allain and Randall Horton.
The two physicians, who have been vocal in their opposition to the CEO and board’s recent actions, received a letter dated Nov. 25 from Foster informing them of the possible litigation.
In special and regular meetings over the past six weeks the board has terminated, reinstated and since extended the current contracts of Drs. Steve McPherson, internist, and Donna Tesi, general surgeon. Amid public outcry, the board voted three weeks ago to honor both contracts until March 31 and asked Eisenmann to begin new contracts.
“While no suit has yet been filed, one is currently being contemplated depending upon the result of our investigation and your further actions and comments,” the letter to Allain and Horton stated. “As CEO of Franklin Foundation Hospital, Claudia Eisenmann has at a minimum, been subjected to outlandish and inaccurate statements made by both of you to public media outlets and, at least in the case of Dr. Allain, by Facebook posting.”
The potential litigation could be avoided if Allain and Horton would “make a public apology to Ms. Eisenmann,” Foster wrote. “Your statements go far beyond the pale and are not becoming of professionals in your position. You should apologize.”
He also said they “must immediately cease and desist any public comment whatsoever, either oral, electronic or written, which speaks ill of Ms. Eisenmann in her role as CEO. Failure to comply with either of these requests will likely result in a lawsuit and a subpoena of all written and computer generated communications, whether on social media or otherwise.”
That did not stop Allain Wednesday as he attempted to once again argue that medical staff bylaws were not followed when corrective action was initially attempted against McPherson following an alleged patient care complaint.
He was called to order, however, since acting chair Eugene Foulcard had said at the beginning of the meeting that public comment would be restricted to the three items on the agenda.
Before taking a seat, Allain said if the bylaws had been followed, Eisenmann should have issued written comment to the chief of staff followed by investigation of what the problem was.
Allain disagreed with legal counsel Russel Cremaldi who said there was no correct action taken.
Of the three agenda items that included “discussion and consideration of board officers; discussion and action on board representation by Brazeale, Sachse & Wilson; and discussion and action on CEO moving expenses,” Franklin resident John O’Niell had some recommendations.
He urged the board to not unseat Von Werder.
Von Werder “has done an exceptional good job for this board and for this community and I think what y’all are doing is wrong and you should be embarrassed,” O’Niell said. “I don’t think it should happen and I hope they will not do that today.”
On retention of the law firm he said, “We don’t want to spend our tax money on more lawyers, you’ve already got two law firms representing you. You’re more than adequately represented.”
On CEO moving expenses O’Niell said, “Claudia, I hope they give you the expense money that you want, but I hope it’s to move and not stay.”
Franklin resident Kay Schwitz spoke on her opinion on Eisenmann’s resume.
Schwitz said the resume is “extremely outstanding,” but added, “In my opinion an applicant who changes positions every one, two or even three years sends out a red flag of possible trouble in the past.”
After being reminded to stick to the agenda Schwitz said, “Excellent administrators build teams and develop a culture of mutual respect in their institution and community.”
She told the board that litigation “can be extremely costly to the taxpayers,” and asked them “to continue the good work they have achieved before the arrival of the present CEO.”
In making a motion to remove Von Werder as board chairman, Commissioner Clegg Caffery said, “I think our chairman of this board should be someone who has the support of a majority, that is five members of this board. I don’t think the current chairman enjoys that sort of support.”
His motion was seconded by Commissioner Nick Accardo and passed with no opposition. Other board members present included Dr. Roland Degeyter and Ann Luke.
“I believe that this board and Claudia Eisenmann have been reviled unjustly by people in the community on Facebook, Twitter wherever,” Caffery said. “And I hereby move that we join Ms. Eisenmann in being represented by the Brazeale, Sachse & Wilson law firm and Murphy Foster the Third in order to uphold our reputation and keep from being slandered and vilified.”
That motion also passed with no opposition after a second by Degeyter.
After an hour in executive session in which they ate lunch, the board also approved additional moving expenses for Eisenmann not to exceed $15,000 in total.