The Yuma District Hospital Board of Directors welcomed a new member during its regular monthly meeting last week, then had to deal with another board vacancy.
Mark Werts was officially appointed by the other board members present — Monica King, Delaina Klein and Mitch Korf — and then took his board member oath. He filled the vacancy created by Robert Dorothy’s resignation at the August meeting.
The board had interviewed several interested candidates in September, deciding on Werts.
Later during last week’s meeting, it was announced that Dee Ann Sewell had submitted a letter of resignation, effective immediately. Board President King read Sewell’s letter. A motion to accept her resignation “with much appreciation for her service over the years” was approved on a 4-0 vote.
King then asked the board about the other people who were interested in the previous opening. A motion was made to appoint Liz Hickman to fill the vacancy. It passed on a 3-0 vote, with Werts abstaining
Hickman will join the board at November’s meeting.
Speaking of which, the board agreed to move up the November meeting by one day to Tuesday, November 26, due it being Thanksgiving week.
The board heard more good news from Financial Officer Rick Korf. He reported there was a loss last month, but overall the district is showing a $2 million profit to date, which is roughly a $3 million improvement from the same point last year.
There was discussion about supplies after board members asked why the purchases were higher than anticipated. There also was discussion about the continuing effort to improve the days involved with accounts receivable.
The financial report was approved on a 4-0 vote.
District employee Ted Beckman gave a presentation on his proposed Cultivating Care Workshop. He explained he is nearing the end of his effort to earn a doctorate in strategic leadership, and one of his final assignments is a project. He wants to provide an eight-hour workshop open to district staff centered on flourishing health care in a rural area. He said strong health care can be a key component in rural populations remaining at least steady rather than decline in coming decades.
The board unanimously approved his project.
The board held an executive session with legal counsel Jennifer Sullivan. It was for interpretation and guidance regarding the requirements of the federal and state self-referral laws, along with procedures, potential liabilities, defenses, and statutes of limitations relating to such laws.
CEO Anne Kreutzer reported to the board that, based on public feedback, the district is looking into certifying interpreters in an effort to improve its interpreter service. She also related that the public coffees she had earlier in October went well.