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Debra Geihsler had differences with trustees. |
After less than two years as chief executive, Debra A. Geihsler resigned yesterday from Atrius Health, the large physicians group, after clashing with the board of trustees over management style and mission.
Dr. Gene Lindsey, chairman of the board of trustees, took over as interim chief executive.
With more than 700 doctors, Atrius Health is the largest doctors organization in Massachusetts not affiliated with a hospital. Its flagship is Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, which used to be part of Harvard Community Health Plan. It also includes Dedham Medical Associates, Granite Medical, South Shore Medical Center, and Southboro Medical Group.
In an unusually revealing statement, Lindsey said the board and Geihsler didn't get along.
"When the trustees hired Debra Geihsler, we believed that her approach to leading a large medical group matched well with our mission and culture at Atrius Health and Harvard Vanguard," Lindsey said. "However, the trustees have now come to the difficult and mutual realization with Deb that for our next phase of our growth, our approach is not as well-matched."
Geihsler said in a statement, "I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together for our patients and for our organization as a whole. I leave believing that there is a greater understanding in many communities of the value of a physician group and knowing that our patients are in the hands of some of the most caring and talented healthcare professionals in the region."
The organization was formed in 2004 when Harvard Vanguard joined with other regional physician practices. But the larger group struggled to forge an identity separate from Harvard Vanguard, calling itself HealthOne Care System.
Last year, it went through an elaborate rebranding, changing its name to Atrius Health. Geihsler's role was complicated - she served as head of the parent group and Harvard Vanguard, its biggest constituent.
Dr. Marc Bard, a healthcare consultant who has worked with Atrius, said Lindsey is a good choice to lead the organization until a search is conducted for a permanent successor to Geihsler.
Jeffrey Krasner can be reached at krasner@globe.com.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
