It’s almost time to select new Medical Staff leadership! Elections for Medical Staff chiefs, department chairs and vice chairs will be happening soon, so please watch your emails for communications and ballots. You can also reach out to tms@honorhealth.com if you have any questions.

Election timeline

Chief and DEC positions

Department chair positions

Voting process

In lieu of members voting during the General Medical Staff Meeting, the Division Executive committees have determined that elections for department chairs and vice chairs will be conducted by electronic ballot.

Only eligible voting members of the department may participate in the election. Per the Medical Staff Bylaws, the candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast will be elected.

Leadership eligibility criteria

In accordance with Medical Staff Bylaws Section 3.B, individuals must meet the following qualifications to serve as a Medical Staff officer, department chair, vice chair or other elected leadership position:

• Have served on the Active Medical Staff for at least two years.
• Have no pending adverse recommendations related to appointment or clinical privileges.
• Not currently serve in a Medical Staff leadership role at another HonorHealth hospital or hold a leadership position at a competing hospital or health system outside the HonorHealth network during their term of office.
• Have at least two years of leadership experience or involvement in performance improvement activities.

Who is eligible to vote?

In accordance with Medical Staff Bylaws Section 2.B.3(f), individuals must meet the following qualifications to maintain annual voting privileges:

• Have Active, Senior Active or Active Affiliate Medical Staff membership status.
• Attend at least one General Medical Staff Meeting annually.
• Participate in at least one designated department meeting annually.

Qualifying department meetings include:

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Emergency Medicine
• Obstetrics
• Radiology
• Pediatrics
• Pathology
• Anesthesia

The following meetings don’t qualify toward voting eligibility:

• Subcommittee meetings (Perioperative Services, Robotics, Critical Care, etc.)
• Section meetings (e.g., Cardiology)

FAQs

How long does the election process typically take?

The process generally takes four to six weeks from the initial meeting of the Nominating Committee through completion of the election.

Who is eligible to vote?

Active, Senior Active and Active Affiliate members of the department who have attended one General Medical Staff Meeting and one qualifying department meeting during the annual voting cycle are eligible to vote.

Does the vice chair automatically become department chair if there is a vacancy?

No. The chief of staff may appoint an interim department chair while a special election is conducted to fill the vacancy.

If there is only one nominee, are they elected automatically?

No. The Medical Staff Bylaws require members to have an opportunity to submit nominations by petition, and an election process must still occur through a meeting vote or ballot distribution.

What happens while the election process is underway?

The chief of staff may appoint an interim chair, subject to Board approval, until the election is completed.

Interested in serving in a Medical Staff leadership position?

Chiefs

Physicians interested in serving in a Medical Staff leadership position must meet the qualifications outlined in the Medical Staff Bylaws and be willing to serve if elected. The Division Leadership Council (DLC) will prepare a slate of nominees for all vacant positions at least 60 days before the election and will notify the Medical Staff at least 45 days before the election.

Additional nominations may be submitted by petition signed by at least 10% of the voting members of the Division Medical Staff. Petitions must be submitted to the chair of the DLC at least 30 days before the election. Nominees must meet the qualifications outlined in the Medical Staff Bylaws, be willing to serve and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The DLC will review all nominees and determine eligibility for placement on the ballot.

The final ballot, including qualified petition nominees, will be distributed at least 14 days before the election.

Department chair positions

When a department chair or vice chair position is vacant or expected to become vacant, a three-member Department Nominating Committee will identify qualified candidates. Additional nominations may be made by petition signed by at least 10% of the department’s voting members and submitted at least 15 days before the election. Elections may be conducted at a meeting or by written or electronic ballot, with only voting members eligible to vote. Candidates must receive a majority of votes cast to be elected, subject to Board ratification. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff election will be held between the two candidates receiving the most votes.

If you’re interested in serving in a leadership position, please contact Tara Simpson at tasimpson@honorhealth.com or Randi Flynn at ranflynn@honorhealth.com.

Voting information

Eligible voting members will receive a ballot and election information. If you don’t receive a ballot, it’s likely that our records indicate you are not eligible to vote.

However, if you believe you should have received a ballot and haven’t received one by Tuesday, Oct. 20, please contact the Medical Staff Office at tms@honorhealth.com.

Thank you for participating in the Medical Staff leadership process and helping shape the future direction of our Medical Staff and organization.