As Hawaii Health Systems Corp. continues to wrestle with budget cuts, administrators in East Hawaii announced they would be losing a key member of their management team.
Money Atwal, who joined HHSC’s East Hawaii region in January 2007, will be taking an “extended leave of absence to pursue other opportunities and personal interests,” according to a Thursday memo to staffers from Chief Executive Officer Dan Brinkman.
“To ensure financial guidance and leadership, an interim coverage plan will be implemented and we will begin recruitment for a new CFO,” the memo reads.
It wasn’t clear what led to Atwal’s departure, and he did not return a call seeking comment on Thursday afternoon. Attempts to clarify why Atwal is taking an extended leave instead of resigning or being terminated were unsuccessful.
“We appreciate your interest and hope you understand that personnel matters are private and we have no further comment,” a spokeswoman wrote in a text message.
Atwal came to Hilo after working at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu as the director of information technology systems and applications from 2004-2007.
During that time, he helped to launch the hospital’s electronic medical record system.
It was under Atwal’s watch that Hilo Medical Center and HHSC’s East Hawaii facilities launched their own electronic medical record system, which administrators have credited with helping to dramatically cut costs for the financially strapped system, while improving patient care and safety.
“Money’s legacy also includes significant improvements in our revenue cycle, development of data analytics, and improved cost accounting,” Brinkman said.
“Please join me in wishing Money well on all of his future endeavors and in thanking him for the positive contributions that he’s made to our organization.”
Atwal’s departure comes on the heels of a number of changes to the East Hawaii Region’s executive management team.
On Sept. 11, Brinkman announced permanent appointments for the following: Arthur Sampaga Jr., East Hawaii Regional chief nursing officer; Lisa Shiroma, assistant administrator for Imaging, Pharmacy and Clinics; and, Reynold Cabarloc, assistant administrator for Facility and Support Services.
Brinkman himself was permanently named chief executive officer in June after serving in an interim capacity following the departure of Howard Ainsley in August 2014.
Previously, Brinkman served as chief executive nurse.
In May, administrators of East Hawaii’s health care network announced they would be laying of employees and cutting services to deal with an anticipated shortfall of $7 million for the 2015-16 fiscal year. The layoffs were expected to affect a total of eight employees at facilities including Hilo Medical Center, Ka‘u Hospital and Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua.
Including the network’s other regions across the state, HHSC expected a shortfall of $50 million this fiscal year.
