![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/VTD-Bratt-hospital-3-1200x900.jpg\")
The Brattleboro Memorial Hospital campus on Belmont Avenue. Photo by Kevin O\u2019Connor\/VTDigger<\/p>\nThe Brattleboro Memorial Hospital campus on Belmont Avenue. Photo by Kevin O\u2019Connor\/VTDigger<\/p>\n
BRATTLEBORO \u2014 Brattleboro Memorial Hospital CEO Christopher Dougherty, on an unexplained leave of absence<\/a> the past seven weeks, won\u2019t be returning to his job.<\/p>\n \u201cThe parties agree that under the current circumstances it is best for Chris to depart and for the hospital to bring in new leadership,\u201d the not-for-profit facility said in a written public statement Thursday night.<\/p>\n The 500-worker hospital, one of Brattleboro\u2019s three largest employers, named Dougherty as its chief executive officer in spring 2022. In the past year, he faced an operating budget shortfall and related questions from state regulators<\/a> before announcing Oct. 3 that he was taking leave.<\/p>\n Dougherty, who previously led Shriners for Children Medical Center in Pasadena, California, hasn\u2019t commented publicly. In its statement, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital said, \u201cChris is proud of his accomplishments and grateful for the opportunity to have led the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBMH would like to thank Chris for his service over the past three-and-a-half years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n The 61-bed hospital will search for a new CEO, Chloe Learey, its acting board chair, said in a Facebook video<\/a>. Until another leader is hired, doctors Elizabeth McLarney, an orthopaedic surgeon, and Tony Blofson, a primary care physician, will continue as acting co-CEOs.<\/p>\n Past and present administrators have blamed the hospital\u2019s fiscal problems on everything from too many unpaid patient bills to their own staff\u2019s rising health insurance costs. In response, they have launched a hiring freeze, let go of six administrators<\/a> and hired two outside advisers<\/a> \u2014 Ovation Healthcare, a national support organization, and David Sanville, a former chief financial officer at Windsor\u2019s Mt. Ascutney Hospital.<\/p>\n