Johnson Memorial president, CEO resigns suddenly

<p>Larry Heydon has resigned suddenly from the top leadership position at Johnson Memorial Health, the board of trustees announced Thursday.</p><p>He served as Johnson Memorial’s president and CEO for more than a decade, and had also worked previously as vice president and chief financial officer.</p><p>He resigned late Wednesday night in a letter to hospital board members, said Sandi Huddleston, chairwoman of the board of trustees. She would not answer questions about what prompted the resignation, which was effective immediately.</p><p>“He resigned last night, effective immediately. End of story,” Huddleston said Thursday.</p><p>Heydon’s cell phone was disconnected on Thursday, and he had already been removed from the hospital’s website. He could not be reached for comment.</p><p>Hospital officials announced the change to hospital staff on Thursday morning, said Jeff Dutton, marketing director.</p><p>Board members notified the Board of Commissioners about the resignation immediately, but did not tell them why, commissioner Ron West said. Johnson Memorial is a non-profit hospital operated by an appointed five-member board of trustees but owned by Johnson County government.</p><p>“I figured we’d probably get some more information early next week about why — some answers,” West said.</p><p>Dr. David Dunkle has been named interim CEO while the hospital board begins a search for a permanent replacement.</p><p>“We thank Larry for his years of service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Huddleston said in a statement.</p><p>Johnson Memorial Health operates a main campus in Franklin, which is in the midst of a $47 million construction project to open a new emergency department and outpatient services building in 2020.</p><p>To make way for that expansion, the original hospital building, which opened in 1947, has been demolished.</p><p>Johnson Memorial also operates the Greenwood Primary Care Center, the Whiteland Primary Care Center and the Franklin Primary Care Center.</p><p>In 2013, Johnson Memorial partnered with Community Health Network to open the Stones Crossing Health Pavilion.</p>