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Published: 05 January 2017 05 January 2017

By Mary Alice Murphy

The purpose of the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees special meeting on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, was twofold.

After a long executive session, the trustees approved updating of medical staff privileges for Emergency Services for Dr. Brad Haire.

The other task at hand was to approve the contract for the Interim Chief Executive Officer Alfredo Ontiveros, who served as the GRMC CEO in the mid-1990s.

"The professional services agreement for interim CEO is made and entered into by and between Gila Regional Medical Center, a county-owned acute care hospital located and operating in Grant County, New Mexico, and Executive Workforce Consultants, Inc. dba EWC Healthcare and is to be effective the 9th day of January 2017," the first paragraph of the contract stated. The rest of the contract requires legal review before release.

The contract is for three months for $59,424 to assist in the transition to a new full-time permanent CEO.

Board of Trustees Chairman Jeremiah Garcia recognized Angela Ortiz, administrative assistant to the CEO. Friday, Jan. 6, is her last day on the job. She has accepted a human resources position at Freeport McMoRan.

"It will be a challenge to fill your shoes," Garcia said. "We appreciate your working with staff to help until your position is filled. As the chair, I thank you for your service."

"It's my pleasure," Ortiz said. "It was a hard decision, but the door opened, and I wanted to do it."

To questions about the contract, Garcia said that the interim CEO contract could be extended if the permanent position has not been filled.

The contract also allows for travel expenses, lodging, meals, and transportation on a reimbursable basis.

"It is $123.80 hourly for a 40-hour week and Ontiveros will begin Monday, Jan. 9," Garcia said.