Chernof quits Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

The head of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services suddenly quit his post Thursday.

Photo: Chernof quits Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

Dr. Bruce Chernof commented the situation as having nothing to do with Martin Luther King-Harbor hospital and failed talks to reopen the center.

In 2007, after the hospital failed a comprehensive review by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, federal officials decided to revoke $200 million in funding. Inspectors concluded that there was no functioning quality improvement plan at the hospital. Los Angeles County health director Dr. Bruce Chernof moved quickly to notify the county Board of Supervisors of his decision to begin shutting down the facility. Further negotiations to reopen the center have failed for now.

Dr. Bruce A. Chernof, a 43-year-old internist, became the head of County Department of Health Services in May 2006, succeeding Dr. Thomas Garthwaite in what was considered one of the most difficult jobs in local government.

Chernof, in his turn, is going to lead a new private foundation focusing on health care issues for seniors.

For now no information about Chernof’s possible successor is available.

Photo: www.daylife.com