GRMC Board Receives Positive Financial Reports

Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 25 August 2014 25 August 2014

Article by Charlie McKee

Photos Courtesy of Joseph F. Kellerman

Photo: Liz Martin (left) and Chairman Kelly (right)

 

Board Chairman Charles Kelly began the Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 meeting of Gila Regional Medical Center's (GRMC) Board of Trustees by recognizing two radiology technicians for their years of dedicated service to GRMC. Maria (Liz) Martin started her career with GRMC in Admissions 20 years ago, spent 15 years as a nurse, and has been in the Radiology Department for one year. Priscilla Venegas has been a radiology technician at GRMC for 15 years. Kelly thanked each of the technicians and presented them with a certificate of appreciation.

 

Photo: Priscilla Venegas (left) and Chairman Kelly (right)

 

 

Chief Operations Officer Dan Otero then introduced the new emergency medical services provider, Innova. Stephen V. Sherick, MD and CEO of Innova, informed the Board that the company was developing an Action Plan to deliver "service and quality," including a new pamphlet to be given to each patient to record his or her experience in emergency care. Sherick assured the group that the plan would be in place and ready to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2015.

The Consent Agenda was approved and the following business highlights were presented to the Board, in addition to their report package:

    • CEO Brian Cunningham – The results of the GRMC caregiver survey will be compiled and presented to the Board at next month's meeting. Over 300 people provided feedback in the survey.
    • CNO Pat Sheyka – The number of surgeries in the last month was at an all-time high.
    • COO Dan Otero – A spreadsheet of new metrics for hospital operations is in the report package and will be presented quarterly to the Board going forward.
    • CCS Ray Goellner – The clinical areas of the hospital were able to reduce their expense by $728,000 in FY 2014 compared to FY 2013. Revenues increased $5 million.
    • CFO Omaira Heakin – July 2014 results were positive $410,000, which is the highest in 13 months, primarily due to the increase in the number of surgeries. In addition, GRMC's Financial Assistance program is now ready to be implemented to help patients who "fall through the gaps" in the various government insurance programs.
    • Chief of Staff Dr. Victor Nwachuku – The implementation date for the new data entry system is scheduled for Sept. 16, 2014. However, it has been difficult arranging training for physicians who have very busy schedules and competing priorities.

The Quality Improvement Committee reported that three quality teams had been sanctioned to improve processes in providing care for strokes, pulmonary problems, and immunization.

The Finance Committee then recommended approval of seven On Call Specialty Service Coverage Agreements, and the Board approved the agreements for the following physicians:

    • Pediatrics – Greg Koury, MD
    • Pediatrics – Jonathan Jones, DO and HMS
    • Pediatrics – Michelle Pahl, MD and HMS
    • Pediatrics – Brian Etheridge, MD and Silver Healthcare
    • Pediatrics – Laura Davenport-Reed, MD and Silver Healthcare
    • Donald Stinar, MD
    • Robert Martin, MD

The Plant and Facility Committee reported that the new Linear Accelerator, which delivers radiation with great precision to cancer patients, is being used by more and more patients.

The Human Resources Committee reported that the transition from the Planetree patient program to the GRMC Internal Patient Focus program is in process.

The Board Members then went into Executive Session.

 

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