LEWISTON — Four months after Central Maine Healthcare got a new CEO, its chief nursing officer and the head of its largest hospital have resigned.
Sharron Chalke, CMHC vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer, submitted her resignation Monday. It is unclear when her last day will be.
Central Maine Medical Center President Tina Legere submitted her resignation Thursday. Her last day was Friday.
“Anytime you go through a major transition, decisions get made about who wants to come on board,” CMHC spokeswoman Ericka Dodge said.
She added that “each of them made their own decision to move on.”
Chalke worked for CMMC and its parent, CMHC, for more than 32 years, first as a nurse, then as assistant nurse manager and nurse manager. She became director of acute care and vice president of nursing in 2004. She has been chief nursing officer for the system since about 2009.
Chalke is the wife of Peter Chalke, who retired as head of CMHC in 2016. He was succeeded by current CEO Jeff Brickman, who started in September.
“Sharron has always been a fierce advocate for the nursing profession and our organization and community have been fortunate to have benefited from her dedication and passion,” Legere wrote Tuesday in a memo to staff members about Chalke’s resignation.
A couple of days later, Legere submitted her resignation.
Legere was named president of CMMC in 2013. She took over for Laird Covey, who retired after 23 years with the hospital.
“Central Maine Healthcare appreciates Tina’s efforts, professionalism and commitment, and we wish her all the best,” Dodge said
Brickman will serve as both system CEO and interim president for CMMC until a new president is hired. The system has started a national search for Legere’s replacement.
System officials are working on a transition plan for Chalke’s position as they search for her replacement.
The resignations of Legere and Chalke are not the only changes that have occurred since Brickman took over. In December, Brickman announced CMHC was hiring an Illinois-based consulting firm to help develop what he called a “transformational” plan for the health system’s future. He also replaced CMHC’s chief financial officer and created the position of vice president for human resources.
Messages left for Legere and Chalke were not returned Friday afternoon.
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