Muña endorses hiring of hospital CFO

After almost a two-year search for a chief financial officer for the public hospital, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. may soon appoint one to the hard-to-fill post following the endorsement of the hiring of a candidate from Hawaii.

Interim CEO Esther Muña disclosed that she found a “perfect candidate” to fill the position and that person is expected to be on island very soon for an initial visit and interview.

Muña did not disclose the name of the candidate but she is convinced that the individual is capable of turning around the corporation’s financial situation because of the person’s strong background in managing the finances of many healthcare systems in Hawaii.

She described the candidate as a retiree and might agree to come to the CHCC on a special contract.

Muña admitted that she endorsed the candidate’s hiring despite not meeting the requirement that requires at least a master’s degree in business administration and five years experience in healthcare finances.

“He doesn’t meet the requirements of the law because he doesn’t have the master’s degree, but he worked in the healthcare systems and he went through healthcare systems with the same situation like ours. So for me, he’s a perfect candidate because he’s somebody who has the credentials that can really help us,” Muna told the board Thursday.

Based on the job announcement made available to both local and off-island applicants, the corporation proposes a two-year contract, with a salary offer ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 per annum. The corporation received 32 applications for the post.

As to who will shoulder the salary of the CFO, that has yet to be determined pending a meeting with Gov. Eloy S. Inos, who earlier pledged to pay for the salaries of both CEO and CFO positions for the hospital.

Muña disclosed that based on her initial inquiry about the CFO salary issue, she was made aware that there’s only $70,000 available for the position.

“Maybe that $70,000 [salary] is enough for the candidate [from Hawaii] if he’s not here 365 days in a year. But I would like to hire him even if he doesn’t meet the requirements [of the law],” said Muña.

Board trustee Philip Mendiola-Long indicated that he first wants to make sure if CHCC has the capability to pay the CFO in case the Executive Branch decides not to fund the position.

“We’re talking about $150K or $120K or $70K. With our cash flow right now, can we afford that salary every month?” asked Mendiola-Long, who participated via teleconference.

“To be honest with you, I think we can afford it,” assured Muña, referring to the $70,000 target salary. After hearing this, Mendiola-Long urged his fellow trustees to work with the Legislature right away to propose changes to Public Law 16-51, which created the corporation and set the hiring requirements for its officials.

For vice chairman Pete Dela Cruz, the hiring of the CFO is the “call of the CEO” and he affirmed his support as well.

He asked board chair Joaquin Torres to clear once and for all the issue on the CFO salary and meet with Inos once he returns from off-island business.