Whidbey General Hospital’s Medical Executive Committee slapped the three-member Whidbey General Hospital Board with a vote of no confidence at Monday night’s meeting.

“There is a lack of confidence, lack of faith and lack of trust of this board,” Dr. Chris Bibby, chief of staff, said on behalf of the medical committee.

Bibby cited the board’s recent action regarding CEO Scott Rhine’s early separation agreement, their lack of communication and disregard for input from staff and management as factors in the group’s criticism of the board.

Surprisingly, perhaps, Commissioner Dr. Paul Zaveruha agreed with Bibby’s remarks.

“This has been a very tumultuous time over the last few months. I have no objections to any of your criticisms,” he said. “In the last two weeks, we have made significant progress internally.”

With help from interim CEO Tom Tomasino, the board has spent time trying to sort the issues out, he said, appearing anxious to move on from the subject.

“We need to put the turmoil behind us,” Zaveruha said.

The controversy went public after Rhine announced his retirement, saying he would leave next spring. Instead, the board forced him out immediately, prompting many hospital employees to come to Rhine’s defense.

Board President Dr. Roger Case suggested to Bibby that the problems arose as a matter of the board’s decision-making process.

“How we get there is the substance of our disagreement,” Case said.

But Bibby’s statement wasn’t the only hit to the board on Monday. Tomasino, the interim CEO, also blasted them for their actions, although he did publicly apologize for a heated discussion he engaged in with Commissioner.

“The ability to lead is built on trust and respect,” Tomasino said. “The Washington State Hospital Association, Governing Board Manual, chapter three addresses Board CEO/relationships and warns the board that the CEO has rights and the sudden firing can not only destroy the individual but have a negative effect on employees, medical staff, the organization and the community.”

Their actions and public conversations, he said, lost the respect of the island community and hospital staff — respect that the board worked so hard to build over the years.

“Mr. Rhine’s sudden departure at the end of October — a result of the board’s decision — caused confusion and concern,” Tomasino said, “and their actions ran counter to the board’s public message.”

Tomasino also mentioned the board “circumvented administration” to gain access to contracted consultants, causing further confusion with Rhine’s departure.

In an effort to repair the board’s internal workings and tarnished public image, Tomasino suggested an executive retreat, with the help of an outside mediator.

It’s “not to find fault, but to find purpose and direction once again,” he said to the applause of a crowded, standing-room-only audience.

Hospital doctors had plenty to say on the matter, too.

Dr. Jerry Sanders recognizes the value and ability of the board members, but said there is enough discontent and distrust in the community to wonder about their agenda.

“I strongly urge you to name the two members to fill an unfinished term,” he said of appointing representatives to the vacant spots on the board, left in September by Holly Schoenknecht to retire in Seattle and Kristy Miller, who resigned in mid-October, citing health reasons.

At the time of Miller’s resignation, Case said he expected to have the position filled by mid-November, but the position remains vacant, as does Schoenknecht’s.

And Dr. Lee Roof seemed to sum up Tomasino’s and Bibby’s criticism of the elected board.

“It’s ultimately the voter’s choice. Let’s quit with all the meetings here and powwows there.”