Projo Biz Blog

PROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge said this morning he must delay at least until this afternoon naming a health-care expert to help oversee financially-ailing Landmark Medical Center.

During a brief hearing this morning in Providence, Judge Michael A. Silverstein told lawyers and state officials that he will wait to name the appointee because negotiations are continuing on a contract for a new "special master" of the Woonsocket hospital.

The judge said that he reviewed 27 individuals or entities potenially capable of handling the job, ultimately interviewing five in conjunction with officials from the Attorney General's office and the Department of Health.

"Until the documentation is in place, the court will not make an announcement," Silverstein said.

Last week, Silverstein said he hoped to make the appointment today. He made his remarks at the conclusion of a presentation by Jonathan N. Savage, the Pawtucket lawyer the judge chose last month to oversee Landmark as a temporary special master.

Landmark petitioned the court late last month to clear the way for a potential merger with another hospital. The hospital has been losing money for many years and at the end of the last fiscal year was $7.2 million in the hole.

On June 26, Silverstein appointed Pawtucket lawyer Jonathan N. Savage to oversee Landmark as a temporary special master.

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