A $280,000 salary seems a bit high for the region and for the observed performance! Clearly the Board needs to embrace a merit based salary approach and pay for performance!
This episode raises a correlary point I'd like to share: Based on my recent research, Clallam County's Personnel Costs accounts for 69–72% of total general fund spending, making wage-driven increases the largest budget pressure. Personnel and benefit costs are expected to rise 9–12% year-over-year, translating into a 5–8% net increase after vacancy adjustments. Reviewing other similar sized County's around the U.S., Clallam County's Personnel costs are about 10% higher (i.e. ~55%). So, once again it looks like we have a local Government paying itself more and more without metrics and measurable outcomes for the Public tied to the money being spent!
I thought the levy lid lift was supposed to solve all of OMC's problems. What is going on?! Thank you, Jeff, for getting this update out to the public ASAP.
We need to be vigilant of his successor and keep some pressure on administration to use some common sense in managing resources and prioritizing services. There are some very easy fixes to some of the problems and we should be pushing the administration to act. Communication between physician office and patients is just one.
Well, guess I don't have much reason to interview him now... One of my clients used to work at OMC so I had asked for insights regarding OMC's decline. The main reasons that stuck with me were medicaid reimbursement rates and hiring traveling staff. In their account, retaining physicians who live in town proved to be difficult due to Port Angeles' many issues, lack of activities for family members/adequate schooling, and that they can find better pay elsewhere.
I've formed the opinion from that conversation that OMC's decline is attributable to the shortcomings of the city's overall performance. It'll be hard to pull us from this nosedive. It'll take years to see the results we'd want to see. I need to know more about what the administrative portion of what OMC would say, but I hope that a new CEO does help them take steps in the right direction, but there is a lot working against them. I can't just point fingers and blame anyone, the issues are too integrated it sounds like.
This sounds similar to the Fire Commissioner interview Jeff did. There's the way we might want things to be, and then there's the way things are. The two perspectives rarely converge.
I do think that you hit the nail on the head as far as local government policies making things worse. Some people think there's more money to be milked from the taxpayers to fund niceties over essential services. Add to that the city and county officials operate under the prevalent grant concept ingrained in our state vs. finding ways to attract real working wage business.
For most of my career I was 100% paid on a percentage of the profits I generated for the companies I worked for. I rarely had a base salary. I might be all wet with my opinion.... About that $280,000 salary... I think that could very well be the problem. I'm not sure how big Olympic Medical is but I don't think $280,000 will buy you the talent that can right the ship. Turn around talent is completely different than a steady Executive that can keep a well oiled operation running. Rarely will you find someone with that kind of talent in the public sector. $280,000 while a lot of money in Clallam County is not really that much money for a seasoned proven operator. The for profit sector will find those type of ! people and offer them better opportunities. In fairness did Mr. Wolfe have the authority to make timely decisions to have a chance? Its a County run business. I suspect there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen with plenty making poor decisions or even worse no decisions. I suspect if Mr. Wolfe felt he could turn it around he would've stayed. Sometimes new blood in Management is a good thing. Hard decisions are... well just difficult. Lots of people in organizations get disrupted as changes are implemented. Very difficult to do when you know everyone. When you are friends with everyone. The Military understands this. Once you get into even a minor command position every time you gain a rank they will transfer you. I believe $280k will only attract mediocre talent. I also believe as a County Hospital you are constrained by a County Bureaucracy. I believe if a for profit is allowed to come in and absorb Olympic it will be better for the taxpayer. If someone can poke holes in my thoughts I'm all ears.
It's all about competition, like the fire Commissioner noted. We're competing for I-5 talent/pay. What do we get if we try to pay bargain basement rates?
I've always wanted to live in P/A area since the early 80's. But opportunity is lacking in rural counties. I spent 40 years in sales of one sort or another. I needed to be near a Metro area. I had several offers over the years to run businesses in beautiful small high quality of life communities. But the nagging thought to me was if I took that opportunity what comes next? I get my family settled and something changes. I cannot uproot my kids easily. My wife has her career/job/friends. A small market can be and is often a trap. One of life's pitfalls happens and you find yourself in a cul-de-sac. There was one way in and only one way out. You havent been a "B" player in an "A" market so even moving has some big fears. Your a failed "A" player in a "C" market and you'll have to call in favors galore just to get on with a decent organization in lesser position hoping to claw your way back up. I'm reminded of the Sequim School Superintendent that was hired a few years back. Older guy at the end of his career. When I met him I thought "oh brother". He was just full of platitudes and all smiles. In "Texan speak" all Hat and no saddle. 20 months later he was resigned under some cloud with a settlement once again paid to somebody while he was on paid administrative leave while applying for his Social Security and Education Pension to live quietly after being a placeholder of a Superintendent. He sucked a fair amount out cash of Sequim School District.
It takes a tremendous amount of personal energy to turn around a large business. You talk to any self made person and the common denominator is 70 HR work weeks and hard decisions putting the health of the business or completion of the project above everything else. Most people don't get it. A large Healthcare System like Franciscan or Kaiser is going to have those people waiting in the wings. Young, eager. Brought up in their system. They would look at Olympic as a challenge and a stepping stone to bigger and more challinging opportunities. They'll have experienced boards and mentors from similar sized markets. I know. 40 years ago I was one of those guys. Ready to go turn something on. Be the youngster on the way up. Leverage my relationships to gain opportunities. Unafraid to adopt new systems or put people out of their comfort zones to achieve objectives. Its about delivering a quality product and creating opportunities for those around you to excel. I just don't think you'll attract those driven dynamic people to backwater Clallam no matter how beautiful it is.
I’m hoping that OMC’s partnership explorations were pointing toward a takeover by Franciscan or Swedish or Multicare or whatever — and that he knew his tenure here would end soon. The concerns about maintaining gender-affirming care and abortions are unfounded as OMC doesn’t do orchiectomies and providers tell me they don’t prescribe hormones to those who want to switch teams. Abortions are performed at Planned Parenthood, not OMC — or so they tell me. I hope Wolfe finds a place somewhere else and that an outside manager takes over. The worst thing that could happen would be to keep OMC locally run.
I find it strange, or at least interesting timing that Wolfe is "supposedly" leaving his cushy position on his own free will right now~! Perhaps his history of underhanded dealings caught up with him and in an attempt to diffuse the growing anger from the local taxpayers who were viciously tricked into the recent tax increase, it was decided that he should "vanish" from the increasing public scrutiny~? Of course, there are those of us who are well aware of the fact that the mass murder genocide COVID crime spree of the government and corrupt medical industry is being investigated for criminal prosecutions, especially including hospital administrative management level criminals who will be facing crimes against humanity charges... Oh, I am sure that there is nothing to see here, but I do wonder if we shall ever see or hear from Darryl Wolfe again~? Well, from what I/we are monitoring, there are going to continue to be a tremendous number of more "resignations" all across the medical community for quite some time to come and I dare say that many will not be leaving any forwarding addresses~! Peace and health to all in the community and may we see better days soon~! Sincerely, Mike
A $280,000 salary seems a bit high for the region and for the observed performance! Clearly the Board needs to embrace a merit based salary approach and pay for performance!
At least the P.U.D., CEO, the highest paid exec. in the county helps provide us with reliable power!😎
This episode raises a correlary point I'd like to share: Based on my recent research, Clallam County's Personnel Costs accounts for 69–72% of total general fund spending, making wage-driven increases the largest budget pressure. Personnel and benefit costs are expected to rise 9–12% year-over-year, translating into a 5–8% net increase after vacancy adjustments. Reviewing other similar sized County's around the U.S., Clallam County's Personnel costs are about 10% higher (i.e. ~55%). So, once again it looks like we have a local Government paying itself more and more without metrics and measurable outcomes for the Public tied to the money being spent!
I thought the levy lid lift was supposed to solve all of OMC's problems. What is going on?! Thank you, Jeff, for getting this update out to the public ASAP.
No, OMC was clear before the levy lift that they would STILL run short without additional federal funding, even if passed. Funny!
We need to be vigilant of his successor and keep some pressure on administration to use some common sense in managing resources and prioritizing services. There are some very easy fixes to some of the problems and we should be pushing the administration to act. Communication between physician office and patients is just one.
Stopping insurance fraud would be nice!😊
Coding...
Well, guess I don't have much reason to interview him now... One of my clients used to work at OMC so I had asked for insights regarding OMC's decline. The main reasons that stuck with me were medicaid reimbursement rates and hiring traveling staff. In their account, retaining physicians who live in town proved to be difficult due to Port Angeles' many issues, lack of activities for family members/adequate schooling, and that they can find better pay elsewhere.
I've formed the opinion from that conversation that OMC's decline is attributable to the shortcomings of the city's overall performance. It'll be hard to pull us from this nosedive. It'll take years to see the results we'd want to see. I need to know more about what the administrative portion of what OMC would say, but I hope that a new CEO does help them take steps in the right direction, but there is a lot working against them. I can't just point fingers and blame anyone, the issues are too integrated it sounds like.
This sounds similar to the Fire Commissioner interview Jeff did. There's the way we might want things to be, and then there's the way things are. The two perspectives rarely converge.
I do think that you hit the nail on the head as far as local government policies making things worse. Some people think there's more money to be milked from the taxpayers to fund niceties over essential services. Add to that the city and county officials operate under the prevalent grant concept ingrained in our state vs. finding ways to attract real working wage business.
He'll get a nice promotion in another job...more pay and benefits because that's how this sick system works.
If you are in charge of a failing system you are rewarded for it!
Golden parachutes (and probably showers) accompany corruption and incompetence because the god(s) of this world are insane!😎
For most of my career I was 100% paid on a percentage of the profits I generated for the companies I worked for. I rarely had a base salary. I might be all wet with my opinion.... About that $280,000 salary... I think that could very well be the problem. I'm not sure how big Olympic Medical is but I don't think $280,000 will buy you the talent that can right the ship. Turn around talent is completely different than a steady Executive that can keep a well oiled operation running. Rarely will you find someone with that kind of talent in the public sector. $280,000 while a lot of money in Clallam County is not really that much money for a seasoned proven operator. The for profit sector will find those type of ! people and offer them better opportunities. In fairness did Mr. Wolfe have the authority to make timely decisions to have a chance? Its a County run business. I suspect there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen with plenty making poor decisions or even worse no decisions. I suspect if Mr. Wolfe felt he could turn it around he would've stayed. Sometimes new blood in Management is a good thing. Hard decisions are... well just difficult. Lots of people in organizations get disrupted as changes are implemented. Very difficult to do when you know everyone. When you are friends with everyone. The Military understands this. Once you get into even a minor command position every time you gain a rank they will transfer you. I believe $280k will only attract mediocre talent. I also believe as a County Hospital you are constrained by a County Bureaucracy. I believe if a for profit is allowed to come in and absorb Olympic it will be better for the taxpayer. If someone can poke holes in my thoughts I'm all ears.
It's all about competition, like the fire Commissioner noted. We're competing for I-5 talent/pay. What do we get if we try to pay bargain basement rates?
People who actually want to live here!!!
I've always wanted to live in P/A area since the early 80's. But opportunity is lacking in rural counties. I spent 40 years in sales of one sort or another. I needed to be near a Metro area. I had several offers over the years to run businesses in beautiful small high quality of life communities. But the nagging thought to me was if I took that opportunity what comes next? I get my family settled and something changes. I cannot uproot my kids easily. My wife has her career/job/friends. A small market can be and is often a trap. One of life's pitfalls happens and you find yourself in a cul-de-sac. There was one way in and only one way out. You havent been a "B" player in an "A" market so even moving has some big fears. Your a failed "A" player in a "C" market and you'll have to call in favors galore just to get on with a decent organization in lesser position hoping to claw your way back up. I'm reminded of the Sequim School Superintendent that was hired a few years back. Older guy at the end of his career. When I met him I thought "oh brother". He was just full of platitudes and all smiles. In "Texan speak" all Hat and no saddle. 20 months later he was resigned under some cloud with a settlement once again paid to somebody while he was on paid administrative leave while applying for his Social Security and Education Pension to live quietly after being a placeholder of a Superintendent. He sucked a fair amount out cash of Sequim School District.
It takes a tremendous amount of personal energy to turn around a large business. You talk to any self made person and the common denominator is 70 HR work weeks and hard decisions putting the health of the business or completion of the project above everything else. Most people don't get it. A large Healthcare System like Franciscan or Kaiser is going to have those people waiting in the wings. Young, eager. Brought up in their system. They would look at Olympic as a challenge and a stepping stone to bigger and more challinging opportunities. They'll have experienced boards and mentors from similar sized markets. I know. 40 years ago I was one of those guys. Ready to go turn something on. Be the youngster on the way up. Leverage my relationships to gain opportunities. Unafraid to adopt new systems or put people out of their comfort zones to achieve objectives. Its about delivering a quality product and creating opportunities for those around you to excel. I just don't think you'll attract those driven dynamic people to backwater Clallam no matter how beautiful it is.
Yep. No country for old capitalists here. And for-profit medical care is an oxymoron.
I’m hoping that OMC’s partnership explorations were pointing toward a takeover by Franciscan or Swedish or Multicare or whatever — and that he knew his tenure here would end soon. The concerns about maintaining gender-affirming care and abortions are unfounded as OMC doesn’t do orchiectomies and providers tell me they don’t prescribe hormones to those who want to switch teams. Abortions are performed at Planned Parenthood, not OMC — or so they tell me. I hope Wolfe finds a place somewhere else and that an outside manager takes over. The worst thing that could happen would be to keep OMC locally run.
Hmm. Maybe the report on how much they are spending on illegles and drug addicts is coming out.
I wonder how much his payout is, then retirement benefits?
These salaries also don't reflect the "total cost of compensation (tcc)" which includes the burden rate that can be quite high depending on factors.
Probably made so much $ he could retire at a early age,who's next.
Did he leave without benefit of cake and coffee?
But the 'harm reduction' path effects, well, everything
Why does the old and wise axiom…”rats deserting the sinking ship” come to mind?
I really wonder what is really going on here~?
I find it strange, or at least interesting timing that Wolfe is "supposedly" leaving his cushy position on his own free will right now~! Perhaps his history of underhanded dealings caught up with him and in an attempt to diffuse the growing anger from the local taxpayers who were viciously tricked into the recent tax increase, it was decided that he should "vanish" from the increasing public scrutiny~? Of course, there are those of us who are well aware of the fact that the mass murder genocide COVID crime spree of the government and corrupt medical industry is being investigated for criminal prosecutions, especially including hospital administrative management level criminals who will be facing crimes against humanity charges... Oh, I am sure that there is nothing to see here, but I do wonder if we shall ever see or hear from Darryl Wolfe again~? Well, from what I/we are monitoring, there are going to continue to be a tremendous number of more "resignations" all across the medical community for quite some time to come and I dare say that many will not be leaving any forwarding addresses~! Peace and health to all in the community and may we see better days soon~! Sincerely, Mike
Here’s the link to the five highest paid non clinical employees at Washington Hospitals 2024: Omc: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/Comp038-2024.xlsx
Forks: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/Comp054-2024.pdf
Jefferson: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/Comp085-2024.xlsx
Really appreciate this. Thanks.
I just threw a few thousand dollars in the cuss jar. I'm not done yet.
The cuss jar has become my retirement fund 😇
Hi Dr. Sarah - Both Vickie Swanson (RN) and Dr. Scott Kennedy are still clinical. Thank you!
Sorry, yes, they have a clinical background, but they do not provide patient care. Their roles are administrative.