Around Town

The salaries are in - and big at non-profit Carolinas HealthCare

The Story

Charlotte’s largest employer paid its CEO, Michael Tarwater, $5.3 million in total compensation in 2014, according to a report by The Charlotte Observer’s Karen Garloch.

Tarwater’s numbers

– 7.7% increase from the previous year

– Salary: $1.3 million

– Two bonuses: $3.3 million total

– Retirement, health benefits, etc: $690,280

The other Carolinas HealthCare execs

Joseph Piemont, president and chief operating officer: $3.6 million, 6.3% increase

Greg Gombar, chief financial officer: $2.3 million, 4.7% increase

Laurence Hinsdale, executive vice president: $1.9 million, 2.2% decrease

Paul Franz, executive vice president: $1.7 million, 2.9% decrease

Dr. Roger Ray, chief physician executive: $1.6 million, 5% increase

John Miller, chief executive officer, AnMed Health: $1.6 million, change not available

John Knox, chief administrative officer: $1.4 million, 2.5% increase

Dennis Phillips, executive vice president: $1.4 million, 3.3% decrease

Debra Plousha Moore, chief human resources officer: $1.3 million, 5.2% increase

Non-management employees

– Carolinas HealthCare employs 60,000 people

– 21,000 received $1,000 bonuses

– 6,806 received bonuses of either $300 or $600

– The hospital system gave an average 2% raise in 2014

That’s a lot of money

True, and some are not happy about it. Carolinas HealthCare is tax-exempt; some question why it’s behaving like a for-profit. It also provides a lot of charity care. Critics argue that executives shouldn’t take  such high salaries on the backs of the poor. And others contend the cost of health care is unreasonable — and this is one reason why.

On the flip side, supporters say you can’t get great talent if you don’t pay for it. Carolinas HealthCare is the county’s biggest employer and provides a critical service. It requires the best leadership.

Ping us @charlotte_five or ted(at)charlottefive.com and tell us where you sit on this issue.

Photos: Davie Hinshaw, Jeff Willhelm, Diedra Laird / Charlotte Observer & handout.

This story was originally published February 5, 2015 at 1:18 AM with the headline "The salaries are in - and big at non-profit Carolinas HealthCare."

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