Board Asks UMMS CEO To Take Leave Of Absence

The University of Maryland Medical System's board of directors asked the hospital system's president and CEO to take a temporary leave of absence starting next week, its chairman announced.

Chairman Stephen A. Burch said that while Robert A. Chrencik is on the indefinite leave, John Ashworth, the system's senior vice president of network development and an associate dean at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will take over as interim president and CEO.

“There is nothing more important than the trust of those that depend upon the Board’s leadership," Burch said in a statement. "And, over the past week, I’ve had the proper time to listen to concerns and reflect. The Board and I are firmly committed to evolving our governance principles and operating with even more transparency.”

This week, Mayor Catherine Pugh and two other board members resigned, while four more went on leaves of absence over their financial relationships with the hospital. It was the discovery last week of Pugh's undisclosed book deal with the system that led to reactions from officials in Annapolis, including Gov. Larry Hogan. On Wednesday, Burch and Chrencik met with Hogan and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

The board also unanimously adopted Burch's request to have an outside accounting and legal firm review and assess board members' contractual relationships. A search for that firm is set to begin immediately. All board members who are on leaves of absence will remain so while each of their business relationships with the system is being reviewed.