Muna finally gets permanent CEO position

After almost a year of being the interim chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., Esther Muña finally got the interim tag removed.
Gov. Eloy S. Inos approved Muña’s appointment as permanent CEO last April 10.

“In accordance with Public Law 16-51 and with the recommendation of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. board of trustees, I am pleased to appoint you to serve as CEO,” states the governor’s letter to Muña.

Inos added that the board, in making its recommendation, has reviewed Muna’s credentials. Subsequently, upon the governor’s review, he agreed with the board that Muña does meet the requisite requirements of Public Law 16-51 and that she is qualified to be appointed to the CEO position.

Under P.L. 16-51, which created the corporation and its board, the appointed CEO will have a four-year term.

Under the law, the CEO shall have at least a master’s degree in healthcare administration, business management, or relevant field of study from an accredited university or college. Also stipulated in the law is for the CEO to have at least seven years experience in healthcare management.

“The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is mandated to coordinate and provide the delivery of quality healthcare to the people in the Commonwealth in a financially responsible manner. I am confident that you will continue to devote your time and efforts to address and resolve the affairs of the corporation,” stated the governor’s appointment letter.

Muña, who has been with the healthcare agency for many years, occupied several positions in the past before becoming its CEO. She used to serve as the agency’s chief financial officer and chief operations officer, among other positions.

When the board of trustees terminated the contract of then-corporation CEO Juan N. Babauta last year, Muña was named interim CEO beginning April 2013. The appointment included an increase in her salary from $85,000 to $96,000 per annum.

As permanent CEO, Muña heads the corporation’s “governing body” that makes decision on the affairs of the organization.

It will be recalled that the Executive Branch, after the exit of former CEO Babauta in 2013, decided to announce the CEO and CFO positions. Nobody applied due to the “unattractive salary package” for both positions.

The corporation, however, continued its recruitment for a CFO and is anticipating that a qualified individual will be named soon.