Executive leader of Montana Children's resigns

The executive leader of Montana Children’s, Teresa Fisher, has resigned from her role after less than two months on the job, according to Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

Mellody Sharpton, director of communications for the hospital, did not provide a specific reason for Fisher’s departure, but said it was her “personal choice.”

According to a statement from hospital officials regarding Fisher’s decision to resign, “Teresa brought an energy and creative focus to launching Montana Children’s, a key initiative for the organization. She made certain that with all of the complexities that went into that effort that no steps were missed and we all enjoyed a very successful kick-off for Montana Children’s.”

Jason Spring will take over Fisher’s duties as the new executive leader while maintaining his other role as chief strategic officer for the hospital.

“We are the only organization in Montana with the depth and breadth of pediatric specialists dedicated to caring for children. We have a tremendous opportunity to grow this program and Jason is looking forward to working closely with the staff and physicians to get their perspectives and ideas,” the statement reads.

Fisher was named executive leader over Montana Children’s a few weeks before the new facility opened July 1.

At the time, she said in a prepared statement, “I have always been passionate about Montana Children’s and our women’s services, so this is an opportunity to focus on those areas and still work with nurses and patients. We have a lot to get done with the opening of Montana Children’s and I am excited to put my full energy toward leading the first dedicated children’s facility in the area.”

Fisher was the chief nursing officer at Kalispell Regional Medical Center prior to assuming her brief role as executive leader of Montana Children’s.

Officials say Montana Children’s is the leading pediatric provider in the state. In July, a portion of the new facility opened as the first of three phases that are estimated to cost about $60 million in total when fully completed. The center employs more than 100 pediatric primary-care and family-medicine providers and more than 40 pediatric specialty providers and offers services in pediatric acute care, pediatric intensive care, neonatal intensive care and more.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4439 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com