With the impending departure of Celeste Reep Oglesby to Tennessee, Singing River is on the hunt for a replacement. Recently Oglesby circulated the below e-mail to local law firms and attorneys.
We are told that most of the attorneys being contacted are under the age of 45, the implication being that SRHS is looking for a patsy who won’t stand up to Brett Williams, Dogan & Wilkinson, Kevin Holland or anyone else seeking to preserve the status quo. Holland is said to be conducting interviews and plans to only recommend one “choice” to the Board of Trustees. Multiple sources have informed SRHS Watch that the new trustees are asking questions and are getting a lot of push-back from both Williams and Holland.
Two other c-suiters are expected to resign in the coming weeks.
From: Celeste Oglesby
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 11:18 AM
To: Celeste Oglesby
Subject: General Counsel Position at SRHS
Friends,
As many of you know, I have submitted my resignation to SRHS as its General Counsel. Abb has accepted a position in Tennessee, which started in January. Needless to say, I am anxious for our family to be together under one roof. My position is currently posted under the Career tabs at www.mysrhs.com. Please forward to an attorney who you think would be interested in the position and encourage them to apply online. I have copied and pasted the description below. If you have any questions, please email me or give me a call.
Thanks,
Celeste
Robert L. Lingle Administrative Building | Full-Time | Days
Position Overview
The General Counsel represents Singing River Health System and/or senior executives and managers in legal proceedings and supervises such representation; oversee outside counsel engaged by Singing River Health System on complex legal issues. He/She supervises and coordinates all work sent to external law firms; anticipates and identifies legal issues of concern to the senior management team and develops legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of high risk with limited time for assessing alternatives.
The General Counsel coordinates all legal issues and responsibilities for ensuring that Singing River Health System demonstrates compliance with Federal, State and County laws, rules and regulations. He/She advises on a range of legal issues, including corporate, tax, real estate, subsidiaries, pension, employment, insurance and reinsurance. The General Counsel provides oversight of the drafting and review of contracts and related documents for the procurement of goods and services; confidentiality of proprietary information; leases of space and equipment; software licenses; and analysis of a broad range of complex laws and regulations affecting the
operations of Singing River Health System including those arising from corporate structures and business models.
The General Counsel reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Trustees. He/She represents the Board of Trustees in all matters and negotiations, including on-going management and maintenance of contractual relationships with employed and contracted physicians. The General Counsel serves as Corporate Secretary of Singing River Health System’s wholly-owned companies.
The General Counsel provides training and guidance to other employees of Singing River Health System on legal issues and best business practices; coordinates and supervises the legal functions of Singing River Health System; manages workloads, provides advice and guidance for projects; assigns, supervises, trains and critiques legal services provided by in-house attorneys. He/She works closely with finance, human resources and compliance in relation to reviewing business practices, corporate structures, training and investigations.
Education
A Juris Doctorate degree from a law school approved for accreditation by the American Bar Association is required; must be a member in good standing of the Bar of the supreme court of the state in which he or she practices law; and must have the prompt eligibility and complete the process for such license and standing in Mississippi.
License
Mississippi Bar Association license required or immediate application and acceptance with the Bar Association.
Certification
N/A
Experience
A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience preferred practicing law that includes a background in healthcare, health insurance or managed care law. Experience with some or all of the following: copyright and trademark law, employment and contract law, privacy; experience working on matters of corporate governance and with a board of directors is preferred.
A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in supervising or managing other attorneys and supervising support staff in a corporation is
required. Must have experience with cost effective management of outside legal resource. Must have a track record of strategically
outsourcing work to other individuals and firms and managing the results; and a track record of progressively responsible positions.
Must have experience triaging legal threats; must have a verifiable record of exercising excellent judgment on behalf of clients including large and complex organizations and issues.
Reports to
Chief Executive Officer
Supervises
Legal Services Department staff and other personnel as assigned.
Physical Demands
Work is moderately active: involves sitting with frequent requirements to move about the office, move about the facility, and to travel to another facility within the SRHS service area. Work involves exerting a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Work involves using repetitive motions: substantial movements of the wrists, hands and/or fingers while operating standard office equipment such as computer keyboard copier and 10-key.
Work involves being able to perceive the nature of sound at normal speaking levels with or without correction; the ability to make fine
discriminations in sound. Work requires close visual and acuity and the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus, i.e. shift gaze from viewing a computer monitor to forms/printed material that are closer to compare data at close vision.
Must be able to be active for extended periods of time without experiencing undue fatigue. Must be able to work flexible hours.
Mental Demands
Must demonstrate keen mental faculties/assessment and decision making abilities. Must demonstrate superior communication/speaking/enunciation skills to receive and give information in person, by telephone, and in public and private settings with diverse audiences. Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. Must possess emotional stability conducive to dealing with high stress levels. Must demonstrate ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task in complex situations is required. Must have strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
Must demonstrate strong research and writing skills; and strong interpersonal, management and advocacy skills. Must demonstrate the ability to responsibly assess and manage serious risks. Must have the ability to translate complex legal issues for a lay audience.
Must demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills, able to collaborate with a diverse population, and ability to relate well with
Trustees, senior administrators, employees, physicians, patients, government officials, and external audiences.
Must possess exceptional communication, interpersonal and management skills, work effectively with leadership teams and demonstrate knowledge of hospital finances.
Special Demands
Must possess superior customer service skills and professional etiquette. Must possess proficient knowledge and ability to use a computer (must be keyboard proficient) and other office technology (i.e., telephone, fax, etc.). Must have advanced knowledge and skill in using MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Must have working knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
Work requires the ability to function independently, adapt to workload demands, set priorities, and understand and set goals. Must possess highly developed organizational, planning and management writing skills. Must understand the fundamentals of automated data processing, and be able to quickly gain a detailed understanding of complex computerized and non-computerized information. Must
possess proficient knowledge of budgeting, general ledger and financial statement preparation.
Job requires traveling throughout the SRHS service area – with the employee providing his/her own transportation. Must have a valid driver license. Frequent travel within a radius of 50 miles, with occasional travel beyond, is required. Work may include local or overnight
business travel.
Work involves maintaining ready availability in person or electronically to the CEO and senior administrators in case of emergency. Must demonstrate a sense of urgency and responsiveness in dealing with clients, and an ability to handle multiple tasks in a timely manner.
Must demonstrate a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards; personal and professional integrity beyond reproach; unquestioned discretion in maintaining confidentiality.