WakeMed CEO steps down prior to Affordable Care Act

Bill Atkinson, the president and CEO of WakeMed Health and Hospitals, announced last week he was stepping down — just days before the Affordable Care Act’s new health insurance enrollment system debuts nationwide.

A statement from WakeMed says the system’s Board of Directors and Atkinson mutually decided that he will step down by Tuesday — the beginning of the new fiscal year for WakeMed. The statement cited differences between Atkinson and the board about the future direction of the organization.

But Tuesday marks the first day that Affordable Care Act enrollment begins for subsidized insurance through the new Health Insurance Marketplace.

The online system is intended to allow many uninsured families to find affordable health insurance, with coverage to start in January.

In the statement, WakeMed said an interim CEO has not yet been named and that hospital officials plan to conduct a national search to find Atkinson’s replacement.

Adam Linker, a health policy analyst at the N.C. Justice Center, said Atkinson stepping down came as a shock to everyone outside of WakeMed.

The differences cited are not yet known to anyone outside the hospital, Linker said — and the timing of Atkinson’s departure is not ideal.

“I do think the time is bad because we have health reform rolling out next week,” he said. “It’s a tough time to not have someone strong at the helm.”

The hospital’s Board of Directors is working to develop a plan that will create a smooth transition during the next few months, according to the WakeMed statement.

“As we move into the next phase of health care reform and respond to the continued growth of this community and region, there are going to be challenges and opportunities for WakeMed,” said William McBride, chairman of the WakeMed Board of Directors, in the statement.

“The Board of Directors looks forward to welcoming a new leader to successfully guide us through this new era of healthcare.”

Linker said it could be a rough transition to the new health care system if it continues to go without a leader for a long period of time.

If WakeMed officials speed up the selection process, the shift could be easier, he said.

“I see that it could make it a bumpier ride if they’re going to go leaderless for even several months while they do a search,” he said.

In the past, there have been tensions between WakeMed and UNC Health Care, two big regional competitors — but Jennifer James, spokeswoman for UNC Heath Care, said in an email the departure of Atkinson will have no effect on UNC Hospitals.

Linker said Atkinson leaving could affect WakeMed’s brand, at least in the short term, because Atkinson helped make the hospital system what it is today.

“It’s hard to imagine WakeMed without Bill Atkinson,” he said.

state@dailytarheel.com