MORGANTOWN — While investigating Malene Davis, The Dominion Post sent Capital Caring’s press representative emails with 23 questions for Davis, the board chair, Strategic Adviser Dr. Perry Fine and the WV Caring board chair.
Questions were sent from June 26 through July 17. In phone conversations, the company requested delaying its responses pending the outcome of an internal investigation initiated by the board in response to a dossier submitted by people with intimate knowledge of the company.
International law firm McQuireWoods, which had previous ties to Davis and Capital Caring in various hospice-related matters, was hired to conduct the investigation.
Company memo and statement
On Friday, the company sent a copy of an internal memo and a press statement.
Excerpts of the company memo, from board chair Tom Koutsoumpas, announced:
“Effective immediately, Capital Caring and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President Malene Davis have decided to amicably go our separate ways. Mrs. Davis has resigned from her position and plans to pursue other opportunities. The Board of Trustees has asked me to serve as interim CEO in addition to my duties as Chairman of the Board of Trustees during the ensuing transition period.
“Additionally, Dr. Perry Fine is no longer an outside consultant to Capital Caring.
“Finally, after one-and-a-half years of formal collaboration, we are returning West Virginia Caring (WVC) back to an in-
dependent organization serving West Virginia families in need of hospice care. … All who were previously employed by and serving Hospice Care Corporation will now report directly to WVC.
“As many of you know, the Capital Caring Board of Trustees recently authorized a comprehensive operational review of the organization, conducted by an outside organization. The Capital Caring Board has a fiduciary responsibility to initiate tighter controls, operational improvements and enhanced oversight moving forward. As interim CEO, my immediate focus will be to work with you, our patients, their families and our donors, in addition to our Board members, to ensure we plot a path forward of transparency, trust and compassion.
“I am tremendously proud of the work each of you do, every day, working tirelessly on behalf of our patients and their families.”
A separate press statement adds this comment from Koutsoumpas: “We thank Malene for her commitment to our mission over the past decade.”
Davis’s statement
Davis said in her statement: “For 12 years, I have had the honor and privilege to be the CEO of Capital Caring, a position from which I have resigned today.
“During my tenure at Capital Caring, we have accomplished an enormous amount together. First and foremost, we have established enduring core values and means to measure ‘what matters most.’
“While creating a sustainable financial model, with no debt and substantial reserves, we have grown considerably, now providing over half a million days of care per year. We have a first-of-its-kind Center for Pain and Palliative Care incorporated into one of the most aesthetically beautiful inpatient centers in the nation, as well as two other inpatient centers to serve Northeast D.C. and Prince Georges County. And we are the first hospice to self-fund a sustainable TeleCaring service and Call Center to improve ‘24/7/365’ care to the most vulnerable patients in our society.
“Of great importance to me, we have built enduring, meaningful relationships that will last a lifetime. I cannot express in words the gratitude I feel for each and every one of you.”
Davis’s attorney, Dan Morgan, responded:
“Ms. Davis cares deeply about Capital Caring and its mission. She has worked tirelessly for 12 years and is proud of the organization that she has built, which has provided thousands of people with the highest quality of comfort and care during terminal illnesses.
“Ms. Davis plans to continue to dedicate her life to helping to meet the needs of individuals facing serious illness.
“Neither Ms. Davis nor I will be commenting further on matters related to Capital Caring.”
