CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A top doctor at southern Ohio’s most visible medical center has been released from his employment.
Dr. Harry Kittaka was the “Chief Transformation Officer” for the entire health organization. The role of the Chief Transformational Officer focused on working with the Adena Medical Group in adapting to changes that are the result of new care models in the field of health care, many the result of the Affordable Care Act. Those included working to provide optimal quality care at a lower cost to patients and providers; achieving quality results in patient outcomes; and increasing provider accessibility.was tasked with actively embracing the “Patient-Centered Medical Home Model” which is a team approach to care led by a family physician to provide ongoing, coordinated care for a lifetime in order to maximize a patient’s health, according to a biography that has since been removed from the health organization’s website.
Adena Health System includes four hospitals in Chillicothe, Waverly, Greenfield, and Washington Court House, as well as six regional clinics, with a total of 341 beds.
In addition to the leadership role, Dr. Kittaka was also a primary care physician where the health organization promoted that he provided all types of primary care from annual physicals, simple fracture care, skin biopsies, and excisions as well as treating common illnesses, such as colds and flu, or helping to manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high cholesterol, mostly at the Waverly campus.
On Tuesday, a staff memo was sent out by Adena’s top executive, Jeff Graham, which read in full, “I want to inform you that effective today Dr. H. Takaji Kittaka, Chief Transformation Officer, is no longer employed with Adena Health System.” The one-sentenced email did not give any additional details, name an immediate interim successor, or the reasoning behind the departure.
Dr. Kittaka had been employed by Adena since 2013, according to his resume, and is a 1996 graduate of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
When asked for comment about Dr. Kittaka’s departure, an Adena spokesman said that the organization does not comment on personnel matters.