Several Duke Regional Hospital executives asked to step down

The spokesperson said it includes Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Hoy, Chief Nursing Officer Vicky Orto and Chief Operating officer Mitch Babb.

WRAL News obtained an email Duke University Health System CEO Dr. Craig Albanese sent to staff members.

"After a thorough assessment of Duke Regional Hospital’s performance over the past year, I have determined the need for transformation, which requires making several leadership changes in order to best position our hospital to fulfill its mission of caring for our patients and community for the long term," Albanese wrote in part. "As a result, Jonathan Hoy, the Duke Regional Hospital Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Vicky Orto, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), and Mitch Babb, Chief Operating Officer (COO), will be stepping down from their roles, effective immediately.”

On Thursday, WRAL News reached out to Hoy, Orto and Babb with a request for comment. Orto and Babb did not immediately respond to WRAL News' request.

"I am no longer with Duke Regional Hospital as of April 30, 2023, and unfortunately, I can no longer answer your email," Hoy wrote in a statement.

Also, Paula Cates and Gloria Alston are each listed as Associate Chief Nursing Officers on Duke's website. The site does not list a COO as of Thursday evening.

WRAL News is working to find out Orto and Babb's employment status with Duke Regional Hospital.

“In today's fast-changing healthcare landscape, nationally and locally, we must continue to transform and act with urgency to meet the needs of our patients and our organization," Albanese wrote. "That means advancing how we deliver care, share best practices and expertise, break down silos, and promote innovation and systemness to improve the performance of our health system. "