WEYMOUTH — South Shore Health announced Friday that now-former CEO Dr. Gene Green will not be returning to the organization nearly two months after he and another top executive were suspended amid a review of “operational and administrative issues."

"Dr. Gene E. Green has informed South Shore Health that he will not be returning to the organization," South Shore Health said in a statement Friday. "We thank Dr. Green for his service and wish him well."

Green took over as head of the health system — the parent company of South Shore Hospital — in 2016 following the retirement of Richard Aubut, who had been at the helm for a decade. Green had been president of the 236-bed Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, since 2013.

In August, Green and Wayne Stockbridge, South Shore Health's chief administrative and human resource officer, were placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Rose Di Pietro, a recently retired South Shore Health executive, stepped in as acting CEO.

South Shore Health did not say what “issues” prompted the suspensions, which came less than a week after Pamela Whelton, the first female president of South Shore Hospital, stepped down after four months on the job. Green had taken over Whelton’s responsibilities.



“South Shore Health System is an outstanding institution,” Green said in Friday's statement. “I am proud and honored to have had the opportunity to lead the system over the past four years, during which it has become a leading community-based healthcare provider and is well-positioned for future growth. I want to thank the staff and community for their dedication and hard work, and I wish everyone continued success.”

DiPietro will continue to serve as interim president and CEO as the health system searches for a permanent replacement.

Susan Griffin, a spokeswoman for South Shore Health, declined to say whether Stockbridge is still on leave, or elaborate on the status or reason for the internal investigation.

"It is our practice not to speak publicly regarding the details of personnel matters," she said in an email.

South Shore Health recently celebrated the opening of a $2.7 million medical office at 1495 Hancock St. in Quincy.

The opening of the medical office is part of a large expansion of South Shore Health, which owns the 396-bed South Shore Hospital and recently acquired six urgent care centers from Quincy to Plymouth, opened a metabolic and bariatric surgery center and took over as the primary ambulance service provider for the town of Weymouth. It also owns South Shore Visiting Nurse Association. South Shore Health has also been in “partnership” talks with Wellforce, the health system that owns Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital and MelroseWakefield Healthcare.