Noble Board Removes Koller As President Move Described As “Executive Transition”

WESTFIELD – In a move taken with the apparent goal of improving the facility’s fiscal condition, the Noble Hospital and Health System Board of Directors voted recently to remove long-time president and chief executive officer George Koller from his position.

Koller had served the hospital in those twin capacities for nearly 18 years.

In a prepared statement issued by the hospital, the move was described as an “executive transition.”

It was also announced that Robert P. Perry, former CEO of St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., will serve as interim head of Noble for a term of six to 12 months, during which a search for a permanent hospital administrator will be conducted.

Koller, who earned $527,000 in salary and benefits, was scheduled to depart on Sept. 30.

Hospital leaders announced the change to employees on Sept. 23.

The decision to replace Koller comes amid some down years for the 97-bed hospital financially. The facility expects to lose $226,000 this fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, down from what had been estimated in August to be a $465,000 loss for the year, and it lost $294,000 in 2008.