Hospital commission fires CEO

Bernier reprimanded for sexual harassment complaint

By Les Bowen for Lake Chelan Mirror  |   Sept. 16, 2009   |   Original source behind paywall

After more than two months of investigation, Chelan County Hospital District 2 commissioners voted Monday, Sept. 14, to take disciplinary action against Lake Chelan Community Hospital CEO Dave Bernier.

Commission members met behind closed doors with legal counsel for more than an hour before making a public motion regarding the investigation.

Commissioner Fred Miller moved to issue a letter of reprimand to Bernier based on a sexual harassment complaint and results of the investigation.

“I make a motion that the contract with Mr. Bernier with Lake Chelan Community Hospital be terminated for breach of contract for due cause and that a letter be sent to Mr. Bernier explaining the reasons why the board is taking this action,” said Commissioner Denny Evans.

Both motions passed with unanimous votes.

The hospital commission also voted unanimously to appoint Chief Financial Officer Kevin Abel as interim CEO.

Bernier was initially placed on administrative leave June 26. Prior to this week’s motions the only indicators regarding the investigation were statements made in mid-August regarding suspected losses of public funds.

Chairwoman Mary Pat Scofield said she expects the hospital commission to consider the question of finding a replacement CEO at its regular monthly meeting on Sept. 22.