With a new chairman, two new trustees and a new legal adviser, much of Tuesdays hospital board meeting focused on planning.
Loren Korte took the helm as chairman, succeeding Patti Boyd whose term expired at the end of the year. New trustees John Brocker and Mona Hull took their seats, along with new county counselor Bob Johnson, who advises the board on legal matters.
The board received a quick review of its strategic plan. CEO Tony Thompson highlighted priorities such as recruiting an OB/GYN physician and exploring options to collaborate with Fort Scott physicians, building a medical arts building, training staff, improving promotion of hospital services and more.
IN THEIR effort to decide what management style could best lead the hospital, trustees said they have narrowed the search between a renegotiated contract with Hospital Corporation of America or a lease arrangement with Saint Lukes Health System.
Korte said he wants to schedule meetings with representatives of each organization in February. Fellow trustees Terry Sparks and Brocker volunteered to help Korte with the process and report their findings to the full board in March.
After that decision is made, the board plans to hire a consultant to guide them through negotiations.
IN OTHER news, the board:
Decided to set its monthly meeting time at 6:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. The board meets the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Heard an end-of-year finance report from Chief Financial Officer Larry Peterson. Low numbers of in-patient stays and out-patient visits in December dropped net revenues by $416,000. The hospital still was able to end the year on a positive note, with $126,000 in the black.
