Loretto Hospital CEO steps down

Loretto Hospital CEO George Miller Jr. has left the West Side community medical center after the hospital was investigated by the FBI for improperly distributing COVID-19 vaccines last year.

Miller, who had served as CEO for five years, left the hospital today, spokeswoman Bonni Pear confirmed. She declined to provide details around the reasons for his departure and would not say if he resigned or was fired.

“George Miller is no longer the president and CEO of The Loretto Hospital or affiliated with the organization,” said Loretto’s Board of Trustees in a statement. “Our leadership team, team members and medical staff remain unwaveringly committed to providing the highest level of patient care and advocacy for the Austin community.”

Tesa Anewishki, the chief development officer and executive director of the Loretto Hospital Foundation, replaces Miller effective immediately as interim president and CEO. Loretto employees were notified of the change in an internal memo today, Pear said.

Download Modern Healthcare’s app to stay informed when industry news breaks.

Last year, Miller was suspended without pay for two weeks from the hospital after it came to light that the hospital was providing vaccine doses to people outside of formal vaccine events during a time when only frontline workers and people 65 and older were eligible for vaccines.

Doses went to people at Trump Tower; a watch shop and steakhouse in Gold Coast; and other places to which top-ranking hospital officials had personal ties.

The revelations resulted in city officials halting Loretto Hospital’s vaccine supply and Dr. Anosh Ahmed resigning. He held dual roles of chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

Miller was Loretto’s first Black chief executive. He replaced Dr. Sonia Mehta in 2017.

Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This story first appeared in our sister publication, Crain's Chicago Business.