Call it an end-of-the-year cleanup, or maybe an end-of-an-era cleanup.
Allen County Regional Hospitals board of trustees took on a series of housekeeping issues at a meeting Tuesday evening, but delved a little more in depth on what might have otherwise been routine matters. With two trustees and an attorney preparing to leave the board at the end of the year, several issues need to be addressed before then.
The board is preparing to give a job performance evaluation to CEO Tony Thompson, while also developing a process to review their own performances.
The board also reviewed its strategic plan, setting goals to make it easier for physicians, staff and board members to stay focused on key priorities.
Trustees also plan to review the boards by-laws. Thats important before they can organize an orientation to discuss the job with incoming trustees, new county counselor Bob Johnson and any county commissioners who might want to attend. Trustees also updated a list of any of their potential conflicts of interest, after realizing that information may be outdated.
Its a lot to take on before the terms of board chairman Patti Boyd and trustee Sean McReynolds come to an end Dec. 31. Both joined the board in 2013, at a time when the county built a new hospital and transitioned from decades under a lease to a management arrangement.
Additionally, county counselor Alan Weber, who also advises the board, is retiring soon.
After those three leave their posts, none of the trustees will have more than two years experience on the board. Without institutional knowledge, its important the by-laws and orientation packet provides new trustees with everything they need to know to get started, Boyd said.
County commissioners appointed Mona Hull of Humboldt to one of the trustee position and plan to appoint someone to the remaining seat in the next couple of weeks.
MEANWHILE, a task force that includes Boyd and McReynolds is still studying future hospital management, with a potential to make a decision by the end of the year.
The board set a date of 6 p.m. Dec. 12 to hear presentations from three hospital management companies: Hospital Corporation of America (HCA, which currently manages the hospital), Great Plains Health Alliance and Quorum Health Corporation. Each presentation is expected to take about a half hour, followed by about 15 minutes for questions. The public is invited; the presentations will take place at the Lynn Family Conference Room at ACRH.
Boyd clarified that a lease proposal from Saint Lukes Health System hasnt been ruled out. However, trustees previously said they were interested only in management proposals and they plan to move forward with those presentations. If the trustees decide to consider Saint Lukes or a lease, theyll likely start a new process to seek proposals from any interested leasing organizations.
Recruitment efforts
After Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott closes at the end of the year, Dr. Ralph Hall will perform surgical procedures at ACRH, Thompson told the board. Hall will have clinics at ACRH and the new Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas clinic at Fort Scott.
ACRH attempted to recruit another Mercy doctor, Larry Seals, an obstetrician-gynecologist, Thompson said, but Seals decided to work with CHC/SEK as they take over clinic operations at the former Fort Scott hospital, with deliveries at Nevada, Mo. However, because Iola has a CHC/SEK clinic, its possible some procedures could be done at ACRH in the future, Thompson said.
A new vascular surgeon who practices with HCA Overland Park Regional, Dr. James Foster, is expected to offer a clinic at ACRH, where he can perform such procedures as removal of blockages in the leg to restore blood flow.
IN OTHER news from the hospital board meeting:
