It has been a year of turmoil and controversy for the MedWest organization, and the health care system faces uncertainities as a new CEO for MedWest-Haywood takes up the helm.

From the beginning of 2012, controversy was sparked when MedWest-Haywood received a $10 million line of credit from Carolinas HealthCare System, the management entity for all three of the hospital systems that make up MedWest — Haywood, Harris and Swain.

The line of operating credit was secured with a deed of trust from to the Haywood Regional Medical Center property, including the nearby fitness center. Haywood County commissioners had to sign off on the deal, as did the other partners in the organization, which had to pledge receipts in the event the property and receipts from Haywood didn't cover the debt.

The ...