A couple of important changes to WhidbeyHealth leadership are expected in the not-so-distant future.

The board of Whidbey’s public hospital district is still seeking a replacement for Nancy Fey, who is resigning effective Sept. 30. The hospital board has received five applicants so far.

To increase the pool of potential candidates, the board passed a resolution May 19 abolishing commissioner districts. Previously, commissioners were elected from different districts on Whidbey Island in an effort to ensure residents from across the island are fairly represented on the board. But the districts had the unintended consequence of limiting the number of eligible candidates.

For additional information and details, people can visit whidbeyhealth.org/about-us/board-of-commissioners. An application review packet is available for download from the website.

In addition, the board is beginning the process of considering applicants for the permanent CEO position. The board fired former CEO Ron Telles early in the year and contracted with HealthTechS3 for management services. The firm provided an interim CEO while also helping the hospital district find someone to fill the role on a more permanent basis.

The board is holding a special meeting Thursday to review resumes and remotely interview three applicants in executive session. The board is allowed to interview the candidates behind closed door under the state Open Public Meetings Act, but any move to narrow the field must be done in open session.

Candidates who are chosen for additional interviews will be invited to visit the hospital for in-person interviews, as well as facility and community tours, according to the hospital.

It is expected that the chosen CEO candidate would begin at the hospital district about a month after the employment contract is executed, a hospital spokesperson indicated.