The Desert Healthcare District Board of Directors voted unanimously Tuesday, May 26, to terminate CEO Chris Christensen.
The board voted during closed session to terminate Christensen without cause in accordance to the terms of his contract, legal counsel Jeff Scott said after the board reconvened to open session. The seven-member board evaluated Christensen’s performance during closed session, according to district documents.
Christensen has served as CEO for two years. Previously, he was the district’s chief administrative officer, controller and chief financial officer, and he has served as interim CEO a total of three times, including stepping in after then-CEO Dr. Conrado Bárzaga’s sudden departure in September 2023. He joined the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation in 2014.
The district announced Wednesday that the board has appointed Chief Program Officer Donna Craig, a 21-year veteran of the organization, to serve as interim CEO pending the selection of a permanent successor.
Ahead of the vote, Christensen addressed board and staff members to discuss issues that arose a year ago during his CEO evaluation. Christensen said current board president Kimberly Barraza made “false and unjustifiable claims of unethical judgement and inequitable bias,” to which he was “astonished” by. He did not provide additional details on the issue.
“I value my ethical standards, and I would never, ever allow my ethics to be compromised,” he said.
He added that his annual performance evaluation began on March 25 with a scheduled completion by Tuesday. However, he said last-minute procedural revisions, several intentional delays and non-responsiveness by the board president has continued to delay the process. That has raised concerns of “professionalism, lack of respect and harassment of a public employee,” Christensen said.
“I have been told by some recently that I must not speak negatively to or about President Barraza and I must respect her. I suspect when I receive my performance evaluation, I will be expected to compromise my integrity to maintain my employment,” Christensen said. “For me, I prefer to maintain my integrity, and respect and trust are earned, not demanded.”
Christensen did not respond to The Desert Sun’s request for additional comment on Wednesday.
The board did not comment on Christensen’s claims during the meeting. The Desert Healthcare District said in a statement on Wednesday that it “rejects the false allegations made” during Christensen’s remarks.
Barraza said in a statement: “These decisions are never easy. We wish Mr. Christensen well. The Board remains united in its commitment to serving the healthcare needs of our community.”
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com, on X @ema_sasic or Instagram @emasasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Healthcare District board terminates CEO Chris Christensen
Reporting by Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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