Two Top Executives Resign from St. Joseph

Two high-ranking officials at in Towson resigned this week in the first major departures under the hospital's new leadership.

According to emails sent from hospital CEO Charles W. Neumann to St. Joseph employees on Tuesday, executive vice president and chief operating officer Peggy Mortensen and corporate responsibility officer Linda Pilla have resigned. 

Pilla will continue as an independent consultant until at least January 2012, Neumann wrote in an email. Mortenson's position will not immediately be filled, as Neumann and the hospital's leadership team reorganize the medical center.

"Just as we look at open positions throughout the hospital and make adjustments to appropriately align staffing levels, we are taking this same approach with the leadership team," he wrote.

The departures come just one week after Neumann started .

The previous chief executive, Jeffrey K. Norman, announced his resignation in late July—less than two years after he was hired to steer the hospital out of a controversy caused by a accused of implanting unnecessary stents.