Scott Rhine, administrator and CEO of Whidbey General Hospital for the past 10 years, has been asked to resign on Friday, five months earlier than his previously announced retirement date.

The hospital board of directors, down to three members, voted 2-1 for the action, which is expected to be confirmed at a special meeting of the board Friday.

Tom Tomasino, the hospital’s chief operating officer, will be acting CEO, according to a memo he sent out to hospital employees on Thursday.

Commissioners Ron Wallin and Dr. Paul Zaveruha voted in favor of Rhine’s early departure.

Dr. Roger Case, board president, voted against the action.

“Two of the board members felt he should leave right away,” Case said Thursday. “I didn’t vote that way, but that’s the way it went. That’s the way democracy works.”

Friday’s special meeting will be at 2:30 p.m. in Conference Room A of the hospital, 101 N. Main St., Coupeville.

The stated purpose is “review, discussion and possible action regarding a resolution … approving and authorizing a separation and release of claims agreement between the district and Scott Rhine and accepting Mr. Rhine’s resignation as superintendent.”

Zaveruha, Wallin and Rhine could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Tomasino said in his memo that during the Oct. 14 meeting of the board, an executive session was requested to obtain legal counsel in regard to Rhine’s resignation.

“While Mr. Rhine was thanked for his years of service, the board moved that he resign earlier than his announced date of 31 March 2009,” the memo said.

“Negotiations resolving the complexities of his resignation have concluded,” Tomasino’s memo continues, “and Mr. Rhine will officially resign as of 24 October 2008.”

Tomasino said in the memo that Rhine “served this hospital and community with integrity, compassion and a vision for healthcare excellence for over ten years. He will be missed.”

Earlier this month, Rhine announce he would be retiring in March.

“When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation, and another goose flies to the point position,” he said at the time, adding that he and his wife planned to stay in the community, and that he eventually would pursue a new career.

As part of Rhine’s earlier retirement announcement, Trish Rose, hospital spokeswoman, said that under Rhine the hospital moved to a Critical Access designation “and is in a better financial position than it has ever been.”

There are two vacancies on the hospital commission. Holly Schoenknecht, of Langley, commissioner for South Whidbey, resigned from the board in August to spend more time with her family on the mainland.

Earlier this month, Kristy Miller, the North Whidbey commissioner, resigned for health reasons.

Case said five applicants are seeking the South End position.

Meanwhile, the board is accepting applications for the North End post until the middle of next month, he said.