WWRHCC and Members in the News - Archive
Here you can find news and press surrounding the work we do as the Collaborative as well as updates from our member hospitals.
Meet Mr. Tom Tomasino
September 1, 2009
Congratulations to Tom Tomasino, recently appointed as CEO of Whidbey General Hospital, one of our nine member facilities. Tom had served as interim CEO while their Board of Directors sought to fill the vacant position, and they have determined they need look no further. Following is a piece appearing in the hospital’s newsletter, “Pulse,” which offers more in-depth information on Tom’s background as well as his excellent fit for the hospital’s needs. Thanks to Trish Rose, who authored the piece.
Tom Tomasino of Coupeville, Washington, has been named Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Whidbey General Hospital (WGH) after a national search that
included more than 30 candidate resumes. Tom will also serve as
administrator of Whidbey Island Public Hospital District, which operates
WGH, its clinics and other offsite services. Tom first came to our community
in 1975 where he met his wife, Katie. He worked in Electronic
Countermeasures at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. He was based in Oak
Harbor, both as a military member and civilian contractor for the United
States Navy until 1996. Tom's love for this community and desire to do
meaningful work here led to his first appointment at Whidbey General
Hospital in 2000. He was recruited by McKesson Information Systems (IS),
the hospital IS contractor, where he was instrumental in establishing an IS
strategic plan by working with administration and assessing hospital data
needs.
In 2002, administration recognized Tom's skills and leadership ability. He
was recruited away from McKesson to be the hospital's Chief Information
Officer. This assistant administrator position had oversight
responsibilities for both clinical and support departments such as
Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory, Rehabilitation Services, Pharmacy, Plant
Operations, Environmental Services, Purchasing, Printing and Duplicating and
Management Information Systems.
In 2007, he was again promoted, this time to Chief Operating Officer (COO).
As the CEO's right hand person, Tom was responsible for the day-to-day
operations of the hospital. He also assumed additional departmental
oversight responsibilities adding; Human Resources, Medical Ambulatory Care,
Central Services, and Emergency Medical Services. Early in 2008, Tom's
oversight role was expanded to include the final remaining departments of
the hospital, Nursing and Financial Operations. In September of that same
year, upon the resignation of Hospital Administrator Scott Rhine, Tom
stepped up to assume the role of interim CEO, while maintaining his
responsibilities as the COO.
Upon completion of a national CEO search by our Hospital Board of
Commissioners, it was unanimously decided that Tom had the courage,
leadership, and support, both internally and externally, to successfully
fill the position and take our Public Hospital District forward. As CEO,
Tom has the overall responsibility for patient care, employee safety and
hospital operations, to include physician relations and physician
recruitment. He has already made great strides in this area by recruiting a
new General Surgeon to the Whidbey General Hospital medical staff.
The current climate of financial recession and healthcare reform will be
difficult waters to navigate. WGH looks forward to his decisive and
forthright leadership style as he continues to tackle the tough issues
facing all hospitals today; safety, quality, physician recruitment, and
strengthening the bottom line so that Whidbey General Hospital can continue
to provide "Healthcare Excellence, Close to Home".
aerial view of Mason General Hospital
