Dear Members of Eureka Springs City Council,
I write to you with a deep sense of urgency regarding the critical situation at our local hospital. The facts are deeply troubling: questions surrounding the CFO’s (Cynthia Asbury) application and potential discrepancies in the Performance Improvement Plan have surfaced. Specifically, the timing of the PIP vote and the “incoming chair” designation on the PIP raises concerns about its validity.
Except for Commissioner Smith, hospital commissioners are entangled in a lawsuit, indicating a systemic failure. We are facing a potential crisis where continued inaction could lead to the closure of our hospital. With only 36 rural emergency hospitals remaining in the United States, we cannot afford that number to become 35. Yet we are on that path.
I implore you to exercise your authority and take immediate action.
- Investigating Chief Financial Officer Cynthia Asbury: Conduct a thorough investigation into her application, including a full background check and verification of her education. Determine why past employment was omitted and why she would not allow the hospital to reach out to a former employer.
- Addressing the PIP Concerns: Investigate the discrepancies surrounding the PIP’s creation and timeline. Why the five-week delay? The dates do not match up. Commissioner Martin was voted in as chair on November 18, 2024. Why does a document dated December 4 read “in-coming chair” if the date is a typo as she claims? Had the document been dated November 4, it would have been created following the commissioner meetings, after work hours, and she was not appointed as “in-coming chair” that day. Verify the validity of claims, i.e., which department heads “report positively” on Ms. Asbury.
- Reconstituting the Hospital Commission: Remove the current hospital commission, excluding Commissioner Smith, and appoint individuals committed to transparency and accountability.
- Seek Independent Legal Counsel: Obtain independent legal counsel to navigate in the midst of the hospital’s complex legal issues, appoint appropriate oversight as the commission is rebuilt, and protect yourselves.
I understand that you face difficult decisions as public servants and that pleasing everyone is impossible. As a CAPC Commissioner, I appreciate the weight of responsibility you carry. However, the potential for our hospital’s closure and the ongoing legal battles demand decisive action.
The financial and legal consequences of inaction could bankrupt our town. There are already multiple lawsuits; another came on March 6, 2025. When does it stop?
Thank you for your dedicated service to Eureka Springs. I trust you will act swiftly and decisively to protect our hospital. We must prioritize the health and well-being of our community.
Heather Wilson
[Eds. note: This was read into the record at the Eureka Springs City Council meeting March 10. Heather Wilson has a 25-year career in healthcare and holds degrees with concentrations in human resource development, sociology, communications and law studies. Council agreed to give commissioners two weeks to remedy management or be relieved of their duties.]