The Board of Directors of the Virgin Islands Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation (the hospital board) is pleased to announce that JFL Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Hazel Philbert, has been selected as the Interim CEO.
Ms. Philbert will serve as the Interim CEO upon the departure of CEO Douglas Koch later this month until a new permanent CEO is selected. She brings a wealth of knowledge in health care regulations and long experience with JFL management to this role. Ms. Philbert is an RN with over 12 years of experience at JFL advancing in leadership positions including holding the COO position for the last 3 1/2 years. She has a master’s degree in health sciences and business administration and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.
Board Chairman Christopher Finch stated, “The board is certain Ms. Philbert will be a positive and steady leader for JFL over the next several months as we search for a new CEO. Through her presentations at board meetings, we have been impressed with her encyclopedic knowledge of hospital operations and her passion for quality improvement.” He continued, “The board of directors was saddened and disappointed to learn of Mr. Koch’s decision to relocate. We certainly understand and support his reasons. We look forward to working alongside Ms. Philbert over the next months as she steers JFL through its many challenges.”
The Hospital board hired the Hospital CEO search firm, Kirby Bates and Associates, to assist with recruiting a new permanent CEO. Chairman Finch confirmed that work is underway, and a decision is expected to be made by the fall.
The board thanks all the candidates who applied for the interim CEO position. It was gratifying to have several JFL leaders with the ability, interest, commitment, and passion to apply to lead JFL during this interim period.
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Philbert to the role of Interim CEO. She will be training with CEO Douglas Koch for the next few weeks. We appreciate all the JFL family for their work and the service to our community.
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