Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare CEO Daniels' Resignation Effective March 31

While the merger between Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare and Edward Hospital and Health Service is still being finalized, Elmhurst’s Chief Executive Officer has decided to resign from his position effective March 31.

The resignation of W. Peter Daniels is "unusual," considering the binding merger between the two hospitals is still underway, according to a story in Crain’s Chicago Business Tuesday. Health care consultant Elysa Forkesh Cutler told Crain’s executives normally stay on during a merger and sometimes remain on the job until after the merger is complete.

The merger was announced in January and would create a three-hospital health system: Edward, Elmhurst Memorial and Linden Oaks at Edward. They have combined revenues of more than $1 billion and more than 50 locations across a service area of 1.7 million residents, Elmhurst Patch reported in January. The system would employ nearly 7,600, with more than 1,680 physicians on staff.

Daniels came to Elmhurst Memorial in 2010, and in October 2011 Elmhurst Memorial announced its intent to merge with Northwestern Memorial Healthcare. Those talks ultimately ended in June 2012 due to "bad timing," hospital officials said.

When the merger with Edward was announced in January 2013, the letter of intent provided for Edward President and Chief Executive Officer Pam Davis to be named CEO of the new health system, Elmhurst Patch reported.

At the time of the merger’s announcement, Sheri Scott, executive director of marketing and public relations at Elmhurst Memorial, told Patch Elmhurst Memorial President and CEO Daniels "has played a key role in these merger discussions and continues to play a critical role at Elmhurst."

Daniels resignation is effective March 31. According to the Elmhurst Independent, last fall Daniels told the hospital’s Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare Board of Directors he intended to pursue opportunities “more consistent with his long-term career objectives.”

Daniels came to Elmhurst from Meridian Health, a network of five hospitals in New Jersey. He served as president of Ocean Medical Center for eight years and has more than 25 years of hospital and administrative experience.   

James Doyle, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will take on the role of Acting CEO as of April 1, the Independent reported.