Maui Health CEO Michael Rembis, who oversees three hospitals in the county, has announced his retirement this spring.
Rembis, Maui Health’s CEO, said Friday, “I know Maui Health is well positioned for future growth, expanding specialty services, and exceptional care with a healthcare team committed to serving the Maui County community.”
He said he is “I am very proud of what we have accomplished and the incredible team of professionals who have made it possible.”
Rembis, who joined Maui Health in 2017, did not comment on his retirement but said in an internal letter to staff, donors and volunteers that he will remain in Maui and that he looks forward to spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Earlier this week there were rumors that Rembis had been fired as CEO, but Maui Health spokeswoman Tracy Dallarda on Friday confirmed that Rembis’ retirement is not related to the information that was published earlier this week. Rembis was not available for comment Friday but scheduled an interview with reporters Monday.
The news reported that Maui Health is planning a successful transition and will launch a national search for a new CEO. Sources familiar with the change but not authorized to speak publicly said Rembis will be available as a consultant by the end of the year and that Kaiser Permanente is looking to bring in someone in the interim in February or March.
Rembis joined Maui Health a year after Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital transitioned from public hospitals to Maui Health System, affiliated with Kaiser. Rembis had to deal with the change, including contracts with unions and workers unhappy with the change.
He was also on the frontline when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and dealt with hospital outbreaks of patients and staff.
As the number of cases increased, the epidemic drew criticism from health workers who were frustrated with the medical policies and from the community who wanted the top management to be removed. Criticism of the administration has continued.
But Rembis and his staff also set up vaccination clinics around the island and at a hospital that treated thousands of people.
The article said that under the leadership of Rembis there was “big change” The three main hospitals are the Maui Memorial Outpatient Clinic and the Kula Clinic. He said Maui Health has been recognized nationally in heart, stroke and diabetes care. Also under Rembis’ leadership, Maui Health recently opened a Wound Care and Hyperbaric Therapy Center and led the hiring of several new physicians.
“Mike has led Maui Health through a critical time in health care and the challenges of the global pandemic,” Mike said. said Kim Horn, executive vice president and group president at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals. “I am grateful for his leadership and look forward to his cooperation as we prepare for a leadership transition.”
Also in a news release, Clay Sutherland, a member of the Maui Health Board of Directors said, “Mike has provided excellent and experienced leadership. His partnership and commitment to improving care and increasing access to physicians in our community is an important legacy.”
United Public Workers State Director, Kalani Werner in a statement on Friday afternoon expressed his appreciation for Rembis’ work and wished him well.
But Werner saw how Maui Health “We still haven’t given our members a good contract even after eight months of negotiations.”
UPW is a union that represents approximately 500 nursing assistants, respiratory assistants, housekeepers, cooks and other hospital workers.
“We are confident that the new CEO will prioritize the needs of our dedicated staff by providing an agreement that rewards them for their hard work and dedication to providing quality healthcare to the Maui community,” Werner added.
He said the agreement is pending “Cooperation with the new leadership” to solve the problems they are facing in the health system and to achieve a peace agreement.
Maui state legislators Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran and Rep. Troy Hashimoto, whose portfolio includes Maui Memorial Medical Center, gave credit to Rembis and recommended a new CEO. “man of knowledge” and local medical practices.
“He worked hard to change hospitals from government management and lead them through the growth of the epidemic,” he said. Keith-Agaran said in a text message. He also wished Rembis well after his retirement.
Hashimoto said: “It has been difficult to be a CEO during a pandemic.”
“But what worries me the most is who will replace him,” Hashimoto also said in recognition of the nationwide search that Kaiser is planning. “I would like someone who understands our community.”
Of the difficulties that were felt, Mr. Hashimoto said “I want a hospital that shows the community.”
“I hope they will consider this when they are looking for a new CEO,” Hashimoto added.
Keith-Agaran said: “I hope they find someone who is well-versed in local health care and especially Maui Nui – there is still a lot of work to do to ensure that services are running smoothly in our province.”
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
