After only two months on the job, the CEO of Kona Community and Kohala hospitals is on leave.
Anna Chiotti-White was selected in December following a nationwide search by the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. West Hawaii Region Board of Directors to replace CEO Jay Kreuzer, who retired on Dec. 31.
Chiotti-White assumed duties on Jan. 2. Judy Donovan, Kona Community Hospital spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that Chiotti-White was on leave.
HHSC CEO Linda Rosen, MD, is the acting CEO in Chiotti-White’s absence, Donovan said. The spokeswoman was unable to answer further questions as to the duration of Chiotti-White’s leave or the reason for it.
Attempts to reach Rosen for clarity on the situation were unsuccessful as of press-time Tuesday.
In announcing Chiotti-White’s hiring in December, the HHSC touted her 30 years of health care leadership experience.
A news release stated she is a nurse leader by training with a background in hospital and medical center management. During her career, according to the news release, Chiotti-White served in various leadership roles, including chief nursing officer, chief operating officer and vice president at a number of large organizations including Providence Healthcare, San Ramon Regional Medical Center, California Pacific Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente.
Kreuzer’s retirement capped an eight-year tenure leading the strategic direction of KCH and the West Hawaii Region. During that time, he was instrumental in bringing financial stability and strategic growth to the West Hawaii Region. That growth included leading KCH management team’s nearly $40 million in capital investment projects.
Kreuzer was to remain involved in regional strategic planning in 2020.
Kona Community Hospital, founded in 1914, is a 94-bed full-service acute care hospital with 24-hour emergency department recently designated as a Level III trauma center. It recently unveiled a $6 million overhaul of its three operating rooms.