EXHIBIT 10(a)
SEPARATION AGREEMENT
This is an agreement by and between Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, a
Delaware corporation ("Columbia/HCA" or the "Company"), and Richard L. Scott
(the "Executive"), entered into this 25th day of July, 1997 ("Separation
Agreement").
WHEREAS, Richard L. Scott has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to provide for an orderly and
immediate transition of duties, offices and responsibilities from the Executive
to a successor;
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to settle and compromise fully
and finally any and all disputes, controversies, entitlements, and claims that
the Executive may have to compensation, benefits and other payments arising out
of the Executive's employment and relationship with the Company on the terms and
conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, covenants, and agreements
contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. The Executive's employment shall terminate, effective at the close of
business, July 25, 1997 (the "Separation Date"), as of which date Executive
shall cease to be an officer, director and employee of the Company and an
officer, director and employee of its subsidiaries and affiliates and shall
resign from his positions as a director, officer and employee of the Company and
resign from his positions as an officer, director and employee of its
subsidiaries and affiliates.
2. The Executive agrees with the Company that, notwithstanding any other
agreement, oral or written, the following, together with amounts payable
pursuant to paragraph 3 hereof, accurately reflects all of the compensation,
benefits and perquisites payable or otherwise to be provided by the Company to
the Executive after the Separation Date and that the Executive is not entitled
to any compensation, benefits or perquisites except as set forth in this
Agreement; provided that all compensation, benefits and perquisites payable
hereunder shall be paid after withholding for taxes required to be withheld by
the Company, including income taxes, at the then current published federal and
state rate (which, in the aggregate, is, as of the date hereof, 26%), unless
Executive elects in writing to the Company to use a higher rate; provided,
further, that all personal income and related taxes applicable to any and all
compensation, benefits and perquisites due or payable hereunder shall be paid
by Executive:
(a) On the Separation Date, Executive will receive a one-time payment in
the amount of $5,130,000.
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(b) Executive shall have the right to exercise the Executive's vested stock
options at any time within ninety (90) days after the Separation Date.
(c) The Company will pay relocation costs should the Executive move more
than 90 miles from Nashville, Tennessee within two years from the Separation
Date. Relocation costs will include all reasonable moving expenses. In addition,
contemporaneously, the Executive shall have the option to have the Company
purchase the Executive's primary residence at the price of the Executive's net
cumulative investment costs and assume any mortgage indebtedness on this
residence.
(d) For a period of two (2) years from the Separation Date, the Company
will reimburse the Executive for reasonable office expenses including office
rent and secretarial staff for use in performing the services contemplated under
paragraph 3 hereof. The Company will not be required to pay for such office
expenses if the Executive is employed by or working for any company of which he
is less than a 50% owner or partner.
(e) Executive acknowledges that he has been notified by the Company of his
right to pay premiums to continue his coverage under certain of the life and
accident insurance coverage previously provided to him by the Company for as
long as the Company maintains such policies in effect. Executive understands
that if he fails to or chooses not to pay any insurance premium after the
Separation Date, his insurance coverage will lapse under the terms of any
applicable insurance policy. Except as provided in paragraph 3 below, the
Company shall have no obligation to provide Executive other insurance.
(f) Executive retains all rights under the Columbia/HCA Healthcare
Corporation 1995 Management Stock Purchase Plan.
(g) The Executive shall be reimbursed for all accrued, but unused vacation
time, and accrued bonus for the time period January 1, 1997 through the
Separation Date.
3. Executive hereby agrees to make himself available at the request of
the Company, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, for a period of
five (5) years from the Separation Date, to serve as a consultant to the Company
on matters the Company shall designate as set forth later in this paragraph.
Executive agrees to provide advice and consulting services (collectively, the
"Consulting Services") upon a request therefor communicated to him by any senior
executive officer of the Company. In consideration thereof and for so long as he
provides the Consulting Services in accordance with the terms hereof, Executive
shall receive a consulting fee of $950,000 per annum, payable in equal monthly
installments beginning on the Separation Date. The Executive will be eligible to
be reimbursed for his reasonable business expenses incurred in providing the
Consulting Services. Withholding will apply to consulting payments received by
Executive unless an acceptable legal opinion is received from Executive's legal
counsel indicating that withholding is not applicable. Executive agrees that the
Consulting Services will be consultation with and assistance to the Company in
connection with issues involving litigation, compliance and/or any governmental
or other investigations involving the
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Executive's tenure as employee. During the five (5) year period that Executive
provides Consulting Services, the Company shall, at its own expense, provide
Executive with Executive's existing or comparable health benefits.
Nothing contained in this paragraph shall require the Executive to act
contrary to the advice of counsel.
4. Executive agrees that, for a period of two years from the Separation
Date, he shall not, directly or indirectly, for his own benefit or as agent for
another, carry on or participate in the ownership, management or control of, or
be employed by, or serve as a director of, or consult for, or license or provide
know how to, or otherwise render services to, or allow his name or reputation
to be used in or by, any healthcare provider which owns and operates more than
50 acute care hospitals in the United States as a healthcare provider; provided
that nothing contained herein shall limit the right of Executive, as an
investor, to hold and make investments in securities of any corporation or other
entity that competes in the lines of business in which the Company, its
subsidiaries or its affiliates are engaged that is registered on a national
securities exchange or admitted to trading privileges thereon or actively traded
in a generally recognized over-the-counter market, provided that the aggregate
of all of Executive's equity interests therein does not exceed at any time 5% of
the outstanding equity interests in such corporation or other entity. On the
first two anniversaries of the Separation Date, the Executive shall report to
the Company any employment by or investment in a healthcare provider which owns
and operates more than 50 acute care hospitals.
Executive acknowledges that he considers the restrictions set forth in this
paragraph to be reasonable both individually and in the aggregate and that the
duration, geographic scope, extent and application of each of such restrictions
are no greater than is necessary for the protection of the legitimate interests
of the Company. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the
provisions of this paragraph shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which
enforcement is sought. If any particular provision or portion of this paragraph
shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such adjudication shall
apply only with respect to the operation of such provision in the particular
jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. Further, in the event that any
restriction herein shall be found to be void or unenforceable but would be valid
or enforceable if some part or parts thereof were deleted or the period or area
of application reduced, each of the parties hereby agrees that such restriction
shall apply with such modification as may be necessary to make it valid in the
jurisdiction as to which the determination is made.
5. Executive acknowledges that, subject to the payments to be made under
this Agreement, he has been paid all amounts to which he is entitled or may make
claim as a result of his employment with the Company, including all salary and
incentives and payment for any and all accrued but unused vacation benefits.
6. In further consideration of the foregoing, except as provided in the
last paragraph of this paragraph and the obligations undertaken by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement, Executive and his descendants, ancestors, heirs,
executors, successors, and assigns hereby
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release, remise, acquit, forever discharge, covenant not to sue or make claim,
and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its
subsidiaries and assigns from and against any and all claims, demands,
obligations, causes of action, debts, expenses, damages, judgments, orders and
liabilities of whatever kind or nature, in law, equity or otherwise, whether now
known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, matured or unmatured and whether or
not concealed or hidden, which Executive now owns or holds or has at any time
heretofore owned or held or had, or at any time own or hold or have, against the
Company, and also releases and discharges, without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, any and all of the foregoing which arise out of or are in any way
connected with any transactions, occurrences, acts or omissions regarding or
relating to his employment with the Company, or the termination of his
employment, including any claims arising from any alleged violation by the
Company of any federal, state or local statutes, ordinances or common laws.
Subject to Paragraph 16 herein, the release set forth in this paragraph is
intended as a release of all claims against the Company, whether now known or
unknown. In furtherance thereof, Executive expressly waives any right or claim
of right to assert hereafter that any claim, demand, obligation and/or cause of
action has, through ignorance, oversight, error or otherwise, been omitted from
the terms of this Agreement. Executive makes this waiver with full knowledge of
his rights, after consulting with legal counsel, and with specific intent to
release both his known and unknown claims.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in the release set forth in this
paragraph nor anything else in this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver or
release by Executive of any right that Executive now has, under this Agreement,
to claim indemnity for liabilities in connection with his activities as a
director, officer or employee of the Company pursuant to paragraph 8 herein, any
applicable statute, under any insurance policy, or pursuant to the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company.
7. (a) Executive acknowledges that he has held a sensitive management
position with the Company and that, by virtue of having held such position, he
has had access to and has learned the Company's and its subsidiaries' and
affiliates' confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets
pertaining to its operations, officers and directors. Executive agrees that he
shall keep all such information confidential and that he shall not disclose any
such information to any other person, except as may be required by law and then
only upon as much prior written notice of an intention to disclose as may be
practicable to provide the Company an opportunity to protect its information.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive agrees that he will
not respond to or in any way participate in or contribute to any public
discussion, notice or other publicity concerning or in any way related to
proprietary or confidential information concerning the Company, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, operations, or any matters concerning his employment
with the Company. Executive further agrees that he will not talk to or provide
any documents to any private, nongovernmental party concerning any allegation of
unlawful activity or conduct, except as required by law. Executive agrees that
he will not solicit any employee of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates
for employment for a period of two (2) years from the Separation Date.
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(b) The Company agrees that it shall keep all information pertaining to the
Executive confidential and that it shall not disclose any such information to
any other person, except as may be required by law and then only upon as much
prior written notice of an intention to disclose as may be practicable to
provide the Executive an opportunity to protect his information. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company agrees that it will not
respond to or in any way participate in or contribute to any public discussion,
notice or other publicity concerning or in any way related to proprietary or
confidential information concerning the Executive, or any matters concerning his
employment with the Company. The Company further agrees that it will not talk to
or provide any documents to any private, nongovernmental party concerning any
allegation of unlawful activity or conduct, except as required by law.
(c) The parties agree that no provision of this paragraph 7 or any other
provision of this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted in any way to
limit, restrict or preclude either party hereto from cooperating with any
governmental agency in the performance of its investigatory or other lawful
duties or producing materials or giving testimony pursuant to lawful process or
in a court or administrative proceeding.
(d) Executive agrees that if he receives a subpoena or is otherwise
required by law to provide information to a governmental entity or other person
concerning the activities of the Company or his activities in connection with
the Company's business, he will immediately notify the Company of such subpoena
or requirement and deliver forthwith to the Company a copy of such subpoena and
any attachments and nonprivileged correspondence related thereto.
(e) The parties agree to issue the public statement set out in Appendix 1
attached hereto. Executive and the Company agree to make no public statements to
the newspapers, television, magazines or any other media or otherwise
inconsistent with the public statement in Appendix 1.
(f) The Company will not make any statements that will disparage
Executive's character or reputation, unless the statement is required to be
disclosed by law. Executive will not make any statements that will disparage the
Company, unless the statement is required to be disclosed by law.
8. The Company is currently advancing to the Executive expenses and fees
for retention of legal counsel in connection with matters relating to his
actions as an officer, director, or employee of the Company. In accordance with,
and to the fullest extent allowed by, the provisions of Delaware law and Article
Sixteenth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed
February 10, 1994, Executive will be provided prompt advancement and
indemnification of any and all legal fees and costs relating to, in any way, all
such civil, criminal and administrative investigations or proceedings, and
Executive will retain control of the selection and retention of his personal
counsel in all such matters. Further, Executive will be provided prompt and
complete indemnification, in accordance with, and to the fullest extent allowed
by, the provisions of Delaware law and Article Sixteenth of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed February 10, 1994, for any
payments of any kind, including,
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but not limited to, judgments, penalties, fines, costs, forfeiture, and/or
restitution relating to, in any manner, all such civil, criminal and
administrative investigations or proceedings. Finally, the Company acknowledges
Executive is entitled to the limitations of liability available to a Director
under Section Twelfth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Columbia
Healthcare Corporation dated the 10th day of February 1994.
The Company will continue to insure Executive under all Directors and
Officers liability insurance policies that it will maintain from time to time
for a period of not less than 5 years following his separation.
9. This Separation Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the
Conflicts of Laws rules thereof.
10. Except for the public statement set out in Appendix 1 hereto, the
parties agree that they will keep the terms, amounts and facts of this Agreement
completely confidential, and that they will not hereafter disclose any
information concerning this Agreement to anyone except their respective
attorneys or accountants, including, but not limited to, any past, present, or
prospective employees of the Company or any of its parent, subsidiary or related
companies or entities, except, in each case, as may be requested by governmental
entities or required by law, including, without limitation, filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
11. The Executive represents and warrants that he has acted in good faith
and in what he reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the Company,
and that he had no reasonable cause to believe that any of his conduct was
unlawful.
12. This Separation Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the
parties with respect to the subject matter thereof, and supersedes any other
agreement with respect thereto, and there are no other agreements or
understandings related to those matters, except as expressly recited therein.
13. This Separation Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall constitute an
original, but such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same
Separation Agreement.
14. Executive acknowledges that he has had the advice of independent
counsel selected by him in connection with the terms of this Separation
Agreement, and that no offer, promise, inducement or consideration of any kind
or degree, except as expressly stated in this Separation Agreement, has been
provided or promised to Executive by the Company or any other person in
connection with Executive's entry into this Separation Agreement.
15. Should any provision of this Agreement be declared and/or be
determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the validity of the remaining
parts, terms or provisions shall not be affected thereby.
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16. In the event of any dispute under this Separation Agreement, the
propriety of any position regarding such dispute shall be determined exclusively
in an arbitration proceeding at the American Arbitration Association under its
Commercial Arbitration Rules, which the Company or the Executive may commence in
Nashville, Tennessee. If either party believes that the other has violated the
provisions of this Agreement, notice in writing shall be provided to the other
party. If no resolution is reached within fourteen days of such notice, either
party may request binding arbitration of the issue by the American Arbitration
Association. This paragraph shall provide the sole method for resolution of
disputes under this Agreement. Any disputes as to whether any dispute,
controversy or claim is subject to arbitration also shall be settled by binding
arbitration.
17. The rights of the Company hereunder shall inure to the benefit of any
and all of its successors and assigns. The rights of the Executive hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of any and all heirs and assigns. A modification or
waiver of any of the provisions of the Agreement shall be effective only if made
in writing and signed by each of the parties. The failure of any party to insist
upon the strict performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not
be construed as a waiver of any subsequent default of the same or any other
provision.
18. Any notices required to be given pursuant to the provisions hereof
shall be given in writing to the designees below by certified mail, return
receipt requested, and facsimile transmission as follows:
If to the Company:
General Counsel
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation
One Park Plaza
P.O.Box 55O
Nashville, Tennessee
37202-0550
615-434-5029 (fax)
If to the Executive:
Gerald A. Feffer, Esq.
Williams & Connolly
725 Twelfth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
202-434-5029 (fax)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Columbia/HCA and Executive have caused this Separation
Agreement to be executed and entered into as of the day and year first above
written.
COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
By: /s/ THOMAS F. FRIST, JR.
--------------------------------
Name:
Title:
EXECUTIVE
/s/ RICHARD L. SCOTT
-------------------------------------
/s/ GERALD A. FEFFER
-------------------------------------
Counsel for Richard L. Scott
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[LOGO FOR COLUMBIA/HCA APPEARS HERE] NEWS
===============================================================================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INVESTOR CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACTS:
Victor L. Campbell Eve Hutcherson Sue Atkinson
Columbia Columbia Atkinson Public Relations
615/344-2053 615/344-2737 615/320-7532
CONTACTS FOR SCOTT & VANDEWATER:
Edward Nebb/Eric Starkman
Morgan-Walke Associates
212/850-5600
SCOTT, VANDEWATER RESIGN AT COLUMBIA;
FRIST NAMED CHAIRMAN AND CEO
NASHVILLE, TENN - JULY 25, 1997 -- Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:
COL) today announced the resignations of Richard L. Scott, chairman, chief
executive officer, and a director; and David T. Vandewater, president and chief
operating officer, effective immediately.
Thomas F. Frist, Jr., M.D., vice chairman of the company's board, has
been named chairman and chief executive officer. Frist has been a leader in the
healthcare industry for 30 years.
The resignations were offered by the two executives, and accepted by the
board. Both executives emphasized that throughout their tenure they have acted
honorably and in the best interests of the company.
Scott said, "Since founding Columbia, we have been dedicated to
improving healthcare through a focus on quality care. At the same time, we have
had a strong emphasis on creating value for shareholders. Though the decision to
resign was an extremely difficult one, we consider it to be the ultimate
demonstration of our commitment to Columbia's mission."
"Rick and David have been catalysts in addressing the growing healthcare
challenges in this country. We are grateful for their tireless efforts and
contributions to improving the quality of healthcare in this county," Frist
said.
"Our board and management will be focusing on providing full cooperation
with all governmental agencies. We will also ensure that all Columbia facilities
and employees are in full compliance with the law," Frist said.
###
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Thomas F. Frist Richard L. Scott David T. Vandewater