CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Jeff Graham, the longtime president and CEO of Adena Health, announced his retirement on Thursday, effective September 30, after nearly two decades with the organization. The Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Chief Operating Officer Katherine “Kathi” Edrington as his successor, starting October 1, in what the health system described as a “seamless leadership transition.” While the official press release highlighted Graham’s “transformational leadership” and contributions to expanding services across south central and southern Ohio, his departure comes against a backdrop of persistent scandals, lawsuits, and allegations of misconduct that have plagued Adena Health during his tenure.
Graham, a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, first joined Adena in 1999, bounced around, and came back where he ascended to CEO in 2017. Board Chair Steve Hirsch praised Graham’s role in navigating rural healthcare challenges, stating, “Adena Health is stronger than ever” thanks to his efforts. These achievements, however, have been overshadowed by a series of controversies that raised questions about leadership, patient safety, and ethical practices at the nonprofit health system.
A History Marred by Scandals and Legal Battles
Graham’s time as CEO has been marked by multiple high-profile investigations and lawsuits, often centering on allegations of misconduct, credentialing failures, and retaliatory actions against whistleblowers. In 2023, an investigation uncovered claims of sexual misconduct by Adena providers, including inappropriate behavior toward patients and employees that reportedly went unaddressed by administration. The probe also revealed that cardiologist Dr. Jarrod Betz performed transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures on patients before being fully credentialed, prompting concerns over patient safety. Despite these revelations, the accused providers remained employed, while several whistleblowers—including former Chief of Surgery Dr. James Manazer—were fired.
Manazer, terminated in May 2023, sued Adena and Graham personally for defamation and wrongful termination, alleging that Graham sent a defamatory email to staff accusing him of spreading “false and defamatory information” to the media and contributing to critical posts on social media platforms like the “Blimp Arms” Facebook page. Manazer denied the claims, asserting that his concerns about uncredentialed procedures were valid and that Adena’s actions damaged his professional reputation.
Other controversies included personal allegations against Graham. In 2021, he was accused of abusing his position to prioritize a family member’s orthopedic surgery, bumping them ahead of other patients on the waitlist in violation of standard protocols. Adena declined to comment on the claims, citing patient privacy. Additionally, in 2023, former Adena executive Hoyle “Beau” Bowman was charged with menacing and telecommunications harassment after allegedly posting online threats against Graham and his wife following his own termination. Bowman’s firing stemmed from a controversial land deal where Adena spent over $3 million—double the asking price—to acquire property and block a competitor, OhioHealth, from building nearby, even as the system cut jobs elsewhere.
More recently, a federal lawsuit unsealed in May 2024 accused Adena of performing unnecessary heart surgeries and submitting false claims to Medicare, potentially violating the False Claims Act and leading to improper reimbursements. The suit, filed by a former employee, implicated executive decisions under Graham’s watch and highlighted ongoing concerns about financial motives overriding patient care.
These issues contributed to a turbulent period for Adena, with multiple employees dismissed amid the fallout and broader scrutiny from state regulators and the community. While no direct link ties these scandals to Graham’s retirement announcement, the timing—coming just over a year after the federal lawsuit and amid unresolved legal matters—has fueled speculation that his exit may not be entirely voluntary.
Compensation Amid Financial Scrutiny
Graham’s compensation has also drawn attention, particularly given Adena’s status as a nonprofit serving rural communities and its history of workforce reductions. According to the latest available tax filings for the fiscal year ending December 2023, Graham earned $1,010,366 as CEO. Other reports indicate his total compensation, including benefits, reached $1,267,669 in recent years, with one account noting nearly $2 million for 2022. Critics have pointed to these figures amid allegations of extravagant spending, such as the aforementioned land purchase, while the system furloughed hundreds of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and implemented reorganizations. He also used hospital funds to have a private box-suite at Nationwide Arena that cost nearly a quarter-million dollars a year.
Looking Ahead: Edrington’s Appointment and Adena’s Future
Edrington, who joined Adena eight years ago, brings a nursing background and experience in operational improvements, including the rollout of a unified electronic medical record system. Board member Bill Knoles described her as an “internal candidate with external experience” poised to build on Graham’s foundation. As Adena moves forward, the health system—operating four hospitals and serving nine counties—emphasizes its commitment to “excellent, trusted, high-quality care.”
Graham’s retirement caps a career of expansion but leaves unresolved questions about accountability for the scandals that defined much of his leadership. Adena Health did not respond to requests for additional comment on the controversies or the nature of his departure.