Denver Health has chosen a veteran doctor as its new interim leader.
The hospital announced Friday that Dr. Bill Burman, president of its medical staff, will take over while its board of directors conducts a national search for a chief executive.
Burman succeeds Arthur Gonzalez, who at Denver’s historic safety-net hospital. In the last year, . Some complained the hospital had become understaffed and they feared for patient safety.
Gonzalez plans to retire at the end of June and will work beside Burman in the meantime.
Burman has worked at Denver Health for 21 years as a physician executive and infectious disease specialist.
“Dr. Burman is ideally suited to continue Denver Health’s strategic direction while we perform a national search for a permanent CEO,” said Rus Heise, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors.
Gonzalez succeeded Dr. Patricia Gabow, the longtime hospital leader who helped transform Denver Health from a city hospital into a semi-public entity with more financial flexibility.
Much of the internal trouble at Denver Health concerned spending priorities and staffing levels at a 155-year-old hospital known for providing Level 1 trauma care to all.
In recent interviews with The Denver Post, current and former doctors voiced concerns ranging from reduced operating-room staffs to the hospital’s commitment to serving the needy and the eroding state of its partnership with University of Colorado Hospital. Last month, three of Denver Health’s five neurosurgeons announced their intention to leave April 1. Hospital spokeswoman Kelli Christensen said Friday that four of the five have agreed to stay.
Denver Health aims to find a permanent chief executive in the next six to 12 months.
