Memorial CEO Resigns

English: Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While this news is slightly dated, the public should closely look at what is happening at Memorial Medical Center. Popular CEO, Diana Hendel, who holds a doctorate in Pharmacy, recently announced her resignation from Memorial.

Hendel, also the President of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, resigned from that post as well and faded out of public view with an announcement that both resignations are due to her need to attend to her own health.

Hendel, considered to be one of the smartest women in healthcare, guided the Memorial giant to expansion of a new Miller Childrens' Hospital and the take over of the financially crippled Community Hospital.

She was also on board during considerable labor strife with the California Nurses Association its affiliate the National Health Care Workers Union, which had filed several actions against Memorial with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging:

• 

  English: Color logo of the National Labor Relations Board, an independent agency of the United States federal government. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

  8(a)(1) Concerted Activities (Retaliation, Discharge, Discipline)
• 8(a)(1) Coercive Rules
• 8(a)(1) Coercive Statements (Threats, Promises of Benefits, etc.)
• 8(a)(1) Denial of Access
• 8(a)(1) Coercive Actions (Surveillance, etc)
• 8(a)(3) Changes in Terms and Conditions of Employment

Finally, the CNA was successful in organizing the nursing staff at Community Hospital and winning a first contract.

Following Hendel's departure, several key staff also left, leaving the Human Resources department searching for replacements and upper management having to plot out "succession planning."

The Memorial Medical system based in Fountain Valley is not known for its friendliness towards unions or for anyone who is the least bit sympathetic.

Hendel's presence in Long Beach is missed.