This is a developing story.
A previous chief financial officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital is returning to the position starting Nov. 15, the hospital announced Thursday, replacing the current CFO who submitted his resignation in late July amidst a leadership and operational crisis.
Joe Wanner — who was Bartlett’s controller from 2011 to 2013, and its CFO from 2017 to 2018 — most recently served as CFO and chief operating officer at Wallowa County Health Care District in Enterprise, Oregon, according to his Linkdin page. He also served as CFO at Wallowa between 2013 and 2017.
“I am excited to return to Juneau and Bartlett,” Wanner said in a prepared statement issued by Bartlett. “There are so many remarkable people that make this organization great. I look forward to working with the team to help ensure exceptional care to the residents and visitors of Southeast Alaska.”
Wanner replaces Sam Muse, who became the hospital’s controller in August of 2022 before taking over CFO duties in November. Muse resigned July 26, but agreed to remain for a 90-day transition period.
[Bartlett Regional Hospital CEO, CFO resign after less than a year in positions]
His resignation occurred shortly before CEO David Keith resigned, following multiple controversies at the hospital including public accusations by officials there of “inhumane” treatment of patients and mismanagement of staff. Bartlett’s board of directors appointed Nate Rumsey, the hospital’s executive director of business development, acting CEO soon afterward. Then the board in late September named Ian Worden — chief operating officer for Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, headquartered in Tacoma, Washington — as interim CEO for what’s expected to be up to a one-year period.
Wanner has more than 18 years of accounting experience, according to Bartlett’s statement. He has a master’s degree in business administration from Eastern Washington University.
“I am thrilled to welcome Joe and his family back to Juneau,” Rumsey said in a prepared statement. “He has an excellent track record of organizational and financial leadership in health care administration both here at Bartlett and in other successful health care organizations. His familiarity with Bartlett will allow him to hit the ground running in supporting our teams.”
The hospital conducted a “parallel recruitment process for an interim or permanent appointment via search firms and direct applications (that) resulted in 11 candidates,” according to Erin Hardin, a spokesperson for Bartlett. Four applicants with health care backgrounds were interviewed by Muse and two finalists were subsequently interviewed by the hospital’s senior leadership team.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306
