David H. Wilhoite

A center in Gallatin that offered lifestyle counseling to people with diabetes is closing and its operations will be folded into a similar center in Carthage, said David Wilhoite, interim chief financial officer for Sumner Regional Health Systems.

"It's a tough time for all businesses, but also especially health care," he said.

A total of 22 employees will see their work hours reduced in addition to the layoffs, the not-for-profit said.

Wilhoite said cuts in government reimbursements, slow payments by private insurers, lost revenue to competitors such as outpatient surgery centers, higher costs of supplies and reduced income from investments were factors.

"As a result, we must improve operations and reduce expenses to stabilize our financial performance," he said.
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Sumner Regional is taking other steps to improve its financial performance in addition to the job cuts, which will affect about 6 percent of the system's overall work force of 1,600 people, Wilhoite said. Those include stepping up efforts to collect hospital bills and minimizing "nonessential" expenses and capital investments, he said.

Lately, Sumner Regional had been in an expansion mode. This year alone, it added a medical office tower, parking facility and outpatient diagnostic center. Last month, Sumner Regional told its bond trustee that it needed more time to file financial statements as required under terms of its $150 million bond issue.

Wilhoite said the request isn't unusual given a transition in the chief financial officer post. The health system is simply reviewing its financial statements with its independent auditor, and plans to make the required filing by year's end, he said.

Wilhoite, who joined Sumner Regional in July from hospital consulting firm QHR of Brentwood, said the system had a small net loss from operations for the previous fiscal year and is finalizing results for its fiscal year that ended May 31.

"You're seeing a lot of organizations across the country dealing with similar issues," he said.

David Wilhoite, senior vice president/CFO

David H. Wilhoite to senior vice president/CFO , Mercy Health Partners-Western Ohio

Under the leadership of Interim CEO David Wilhoite and the senior management team , SRMC continues to grow in its services and staff to meet the healthcare needs of its community.

David H. Wilhoite, CPA
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David H. Wilhoite, CPA Chief Financial Officer

Wilhoite joined SRHS as Interim Chief Financial Officer in summer 2008, and very quickly assisted the organization in initiating a broad performance improvement plan during a very challenging time in the healthcare industry. Upon being named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in January 2009, Wilhoite became responsible for all revenue cycle personnel, including Patient Access, Health Information Management, Patient Financial Services, Managed Care and Finance.

Wilhoite started his career in healthcare finance 34 years ago, and has served as the senior financial expert for several hospitals and health systems throughout the Midwest.

Wilhoite is a Certified Public Accountant and earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Accounting from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio.

Under the leadership of Interim CEO David Wilhoite and the senior management team, SRHS continues to grow to meet the healthcare needs of its community.

Under the leadership of Interim CEO David Wilhoite and the senior management team, SRMC continues to grow in its services and staff to meet the healthcare needs of its community.