Sharon Regional, CEO part ways after 1 year

For the second time in little more than a year, Sharon Regional Health System found itself losing its CEO under murky circumstances.

The non-profit health care provider said in a written statement Monday its CEO Linde Finsrud Wilson had resigned. No explanation was given for the resignation of the 55-year-old who was named to the post in August 2011 after Sharon Regional parted with its prior CEO, John Zidansek.

As part of its announcement Sharon Regional said John R. “Jack” Janoso Jr. had been named the new CEO and president. He had been serving as president and chief operating officer of Sharon Regional. He had served as acting president after Zidansek left and was in the running for the CEO’s post but was passed over for the more experienced Wilson, who came from the Philadelphia area.

No phone number was listed for Wilson in the area.

A change in leadership is significant because Sharon Regional is Mercer County’s largest employer with around 1,700 employees.

Wilson faced a difficult job from the outset as she was the first outsider tapped for the top post at Sharon Regional. But her departure apparently came quickly as one board member said they only learned over they weekend by e-mail that Wilson had tendered her resignation.

Rumblings were heard a couple months ago that some of Sharon Regional’s board members were unhappy with Wilson. But there was no indication a move to oust her was under way.

Indeed, while Wilson trimmed jobs at the hospital system, a number of board members supported her in that she had no other choice given stark economic choices that were faced.

“I can tell you she made a lot of good changes,’’ said one board member who spoke on condition of not being identified. “We have to control costs. The future is challenging and those changes needed to be made.’’

In fiscal 2011 Sharon Regional generated a profit of $3.9 million with a slim operating margin of 0.5 percent. The health care provider set an operating margin target of 1.1 percent for the 2012 financial year which ended June 30, according to Fitch rating service. In other words, Sharon Regional set a goal of more than doubling its operating margin – a task that Fitch called “attainable.’’

“It does sound, generally speaking, that they’ve had some turnover,’’ Michael Burger, a Fitch financial analyst said of the new change in CEOs. “I can’t comment on the reasons. It would be more prudent to investigate.’’

Final audited financial results for Sharon Regional’s 2012 financial year are tentatively scheduled to be presented to its board next week. A board member said they were not made aware of any major surprises that were expected to be released.

From the start of her reign Wilson talked publicly about Sharon Regional building a new hospital. While it generated enthusiasm among some board members it never developed real traction. A price tag for a sparkling new hospital with all the bells and whistles could easily hit $200 million – which was seen as miring Sharon Regional in a mountain of debt it could never pay off.

Robert Jazwinski, Sharon Regional’s chairman, wasn’t available for comment but in a statement touted Janoso’s abilities.

“Sharon Regional is very fortunate to have someone of Mr. Janoso’s experience and qualifications to lead the Health System into the future,” Jazwinski said. “We’re extremely proud of the recent accomplishments and quality recognitions Sharon Regional has received, and have nothing but the highest level of confidence in our management team, physicians, and all staff members to continue moving the Health System forward as the region’s premier provider of health care services.”

Janoso joined Sharon Regional in 1999 as a vice president and chief information officer. He later assumed responsibilities for imaging services and the corporate compliance program and in 2006 was named vice president of operations, ancillary, and support services. He led the team in developing and constructing the Hermitage Diagnostic and Imaging Center, the Hubbard Diagnostic and Specialty Center, and directed the development of Sharon Regional’s five-year informational technology master plan, which resulted in the conversion of full electronic medical records throughout the Health System.

He also participated in the creation and startup of a collaborative purchasing agreement involving 17 health systems in Pennsylvania.  

Prior to Sharon Regional, he served as a vice president/CIO for Visiting Nurse Service & Affiliates, vice president and director at Alliance Community Hospital, a senior consultant at Ernst & Young LLP, and as director of information services at Warren General Hospital.

Janoso received his bachelor’s and MBA degrees from Youngstown State University. He has been extremely active in the community and has served in such capacities as president of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2008, on the board of Youngstown State’s Bitonte College of Health & Human Services, a board member of the Shenango Valley YMCA and a board member of both the Youngstown Air Force Reserve Base Community Council and Lawrence/Mercer County PA Workforce Investment boards.