KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak’s hospital will be looking for a new chief administrator.
Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center has announced that Dr. Gina Bishop will be resigning from her position at the hospital.
Bishop has served the hospital in many capacities over her eight-year tenure: as manager of Emergency Services, as chief nurse executive and as hospital administrator, overseeing the hospital, Chiniak Bay Elder House and Providence Kodiak Island Counseling Center.
Recently, Bishop received criticism for her handling of labor negotiations with hospital staff earlier this year, nearly leading to a strike at the onset of Kodiak’s COVID-19 pandemic response in March, which put Kodiak in the state and national spotlight. Many hospital employees had been working for nearly a year without a contract as their bargaining organization, the Alaska Medical Employees Association, the AMEA, sought to secure a benefits package for workers.
The contract disagreements culminated in an AMEA vote in March to authorize a strike, demonstrations in front of the hospital, and newspaper ads from both sides staking their claims. The hospital then sued the AMEA in federal court and even petitioned President Trump to use his executive power to stop the strike, citing the community’s need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soon after, a contract was negotiated and the strike was called off, but not without many employees speaking about an erosion of good faith between employees and administration.
Bishop had accomplished much during her tenure at Providence Kodiak. She helped partner with the University of Alaska Anchorage to bring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Kodiak, and expanded therapies and specialty services.
An interim administrator will be announced soon. Bishop’s last day at Providence will be July 6.
