By Joe Fahy
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)
Copyright 2007 P.G. Publishing Co.
James Bothwell, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania, has been placed on leave with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation into his administrative practices at the STATMedEvac air medical transport service, officials said yesterday.
The center’s board placed Mr. Bothwell on temporary administrative leave last Thursday, said John Chamberlin, STATMedEvac’s business relations director.
A statement issued yesterday by STATMedEvac provided few details but noted: “This is not an investigation into the delivery of patient care or aviation safety.
“STATMedEvac has always provided excellent care, as well as safe and reliable transport, to thousands of patients throughout the region, and will continue to do so under new leadership.”
Douglas Garretson, the center’s vice president and chief operating officer, has been appointed interim chief executive officer and president, the statement noted.
It said more details could not be provided at this time “out of a sense of fairness to Mr. Bothwell and because we simply do not have complete information at this stage of the investigation.”
Mr. Bothwell could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Chamberlin said he could not estimate when the investigation will be complete. Because it involves a personnel matter, the agency may not comment publicly once the investigation is finished, he said.
Mr. Chamberlin said that Mr. Bothwell began leading STATMedEvac in 1992, holding various positions including program director, president and CEO, and had been president and CEO of the Center for Emergency Medicine for about two years.
The center, which includes STATMedEvac and other initiatives related to emergency medicine, is operated by a consortium of member hospitals. They include the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, West Penn Hospital, Mercy Hospital and Altoona Hospital.
UPMC is “confident in the leadership by Douglas Garretson of STATMedEvac, which will continue to provide excellent care to area patients,” said UPMC spokesman Frank Raczkiewicz.
Mr. Chamberlin said STATMedEvac’s income comes from billing for transporting critically ill or injured patients, but noted that services are provided regardless of ability to pay.