The Seymour Hospital Board will consider firing hospital administrator Bill McKinnon at 7 p.m. tonight.
   This is the second attempt to fire the administrator this year.
   The first attempt in January failed when McKinnon refused to continue the meeting in closed session. At a second meeting it appeared that problems were resolved.
   McKinnon, who has been administrator for less than a year, again wants an open session to discuss the issues.
   "The public has a right to hear issues that are confrontational to their hospital," he said. "This is a hospital district ... This kind of information good or bad deserves to be discussed in open session."
   McKinnon said the board has enough votes to terminate him, but declined to discuss the reasons due to potential litigation.
   Complaints against McKinnon include failure to hire new staff members and to properly discipline employees.
   Currently, the hospital has one doctor, one physician's assistant and one temporary certified registered nurse.
   In late December, he said he uncovered a Medicare billing error that had persisted for several years. At present, the hospital is working out a plan for the hospital and physicians to repay the Medicare overpayments.
   McKinnon's supporters said they appreciate the work he has done to turn the hospital in a positive direction. Several of them want to fight to keep him on as administrator. They plan to be out in force. Expectations are that as many as 60 may turnout for the meeting, normally about 12 are present.
   "He is trying to save our hospital," said Linda Brock, a Seymour resident. "He is an excellent administrator who is trying to turn this hospital around."
   Hospital board member Helen Busby said McKinnon's diligence has caused him to fall into disfavor with some members of the hospital staff.
   Those in favor of McKinnon's termination could not be reached for comment.
   "What I bring to hospital is a level of professionalism and integrity and conviction to my job," McKinnon said. "And sometimes, even when you're on the right track, you can still get hit by a train."

TRN Online

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002