From Staff Reports

Mission Hospital’s vice president of marketing resigned Oct. 21 following comments she made during a presentation at a marketing conference in Arizona.

Janet Moore’s comments included referring to Mission as a “monopoly” and a “500-pound gorilla in Western North Carolina.”

In the audio clip, she also characterized some Haywood County residents as “hillbillies” and mimicked “a Haywood County accent.”

The audio clip of Moore’s comments were replayed by Mission competitor Park Ridge Health during a hearing Oct. 20 in Fletcher at a public meeting with a North Carolina House panel on renewing Mission’s Certification of Public Advantage.

Park Ridge Health officials played the audio clip of Moore to support its case for stronger oversight of Mission and limits on the Asheville-based health system’s acquisitions. (The clip may be heard by clicking on www.wncchoice.com.)

In a statement released late Oct. 21 Mission Hospital announced, “Janet Moore’s comments at a recent presentation to a professional audience were ill-advised, and she apologizes. Ms. Moore has tendered her resignation and it has been accepted.

“Ms. Moore has tendered her resignation and it has been accepted. The views reflected in that presentation in now way represents the beliefs of Mission’s Board, leadership, employees or physicians. Mission remains committed to serving the residents of Western North Carolina with humility and respect.”