ASHEVILLE – A new contractor will be responsible for reviewing HCA Healthcare’s compliance with the 2019 agreement to buy the Mission Health system. This firm is known as the “Independent Monitor,” a designation defined by the contract.
Gibbins Advisors, a Nashville-based firm, was first appointed as the monitor to the purchase agreement in October 2019. Ronald Winters, the firm’s founder, told the Citizen Times Feb. 9 that Gibbins did not reapply for the role. The Asheville Watchdog first reported that Gibbins did not reapply.
“While we were encouraged by Dogwood’s board and management to participate in the RFP process, after careful consideration we decided it is a good time to pass the baton to someone new,” Winters said in a Feb. 9 statement. “We love this community and hope to continue the many good friendships with community members and leaders we made during our time as Independent Monitor.”
The Independent Monitor is paid by Dogwood Health Trust, a nonprofit grantmaking organization that received the proceeds of the $1.5 billion purchase. Dogwood is responsible for enforcing compliance issues with HCA’s commitments to the agreement. The nonprofit was unable to provide information by press time.