Altru president Weiser leaves, Deere named interim chief medical officer (Update)

Update 3:00 PM:

A change in executive leadership at Altru Health System.

In a sudden announcement today (Tue), the Board of Directors said that Altru’s President, Dr. Steven Weiser, is leaving the organization effective immediately.

In a statement, Board Chair Karen Thingelstad says the decision was “made in the best interest of the organization.”   She also thanked Weiser for his contributions.

The move also means that Weiser can no longer serve as chair of the North Dakota Hospital Association, a position he assumed late last month.

Association president Tim Blasl says, according to their bylaws, Weiser cannot be chair, since he is no longer with Altru.

Blasl says his association would like to have Altru represented on the board, but that must be discussed by board members and association membership.

Altru says it plans to recruit a new president.

Meanwhile, Altru says Dr. Joshua Deere will become interim chief medical officer, a previously vacant position.

Deere has been with Altru since 2009, serving as director of primary care for seven years

It was announced in January that Todd Forkel of Avera in South Dakota will join Altru as chief executive officer on Monday (Feb. 28).

(Photo L-R: Dr. Weiser, Dr. Deere)

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Altru release:

Altru Health System’s Board of Directors announces changes in executive leadership. As previously shared, Todd Forkel will join Altru as chief executive officer on February 28. Effective today, Dr. Steven Weiser will be leaving the organization and Dr. Joshua Deere will join the executive leadership team as interim chief medical officer, a previously vacant position, assuming oversight of the medical practice.

“This decision has been made in the best interest of the organization,” shares Karen Thingelstad, chair of Altru’s Board of Directors. “We thank Dr. Weiser for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Dr. Deere has been a physician leader at Altru for eleven years, serving as chair of family medicine for four years and most recently as medical director of primary care for seven years. He has practiced as a primary care physician at Altru since 2009.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Deere join the executive team,” shares Thingelstad. “His commitment to high-quality patient care, experience in leadership and dedication to the community aligns well with the strategic direction of the organization. Altru’s Board is excited for the future of our regional health system under the strong, vibrant leadership of Todd, Dr. Deere and the entire executive team.”

Recruitment for a new president will occur in the future. Altru will not immediately fill the position to allow a thoughtful review of the role.