Tice, Blackman are re-elected to hospital board
Board considers purchase of new air conditioning unit
Staff reporter
Marion County Hospital District #1 board of trustees held its annual meeting Thursday and re-elected Martin Tice and Peggy Blackman to additional three-year terms.
During previous meetings, the board has discussed expanding the board from the current five members.
Blackman said during the Thursday meeting she did not want additional expense for a special election to approve the expansion of the board. She suggested the question be placed on the ballot during a regular election.
Following the brief annual meeting, the board adjourned and began its regular monthly meeting.
Doug Newman, St. Luke Hospital and Living Center chief executive officer, reported the air conditioning unit was in need of repair or replacement.
One bid was obtained from a Trane dealership that specializes in commercial units.
The board was told the unit was 20 years old. Repair and replacement of the parts needed for it to run does not include other components that also are 20 years old.
The board recognized the urgency of getting the unit operational but instructed Newman to obtain a second bid for a new unit.
Currently there are two air conditioning units. One new unit would replace the two units, making it more efficient to operate.
In other business:
— The annual survey by the state fire marshal results were presented to the board by Newman.
All doors in both the hospital and living center need to be latching mechanized doors instead of friction locked doors. The doors need to be replaced by 2006 at an approximate cost of $300 each.
Newman suggested replacing one door each month until all are replaced. There are some already in place.
— Blackman told the board she would like for the foundation to start a capital campaign. She asked the board to consider hiring a fund-raiser to assist with the campaign.
Blackman also suggested the services of a grant writer be acquired. Newman said he can get the appropriate lists for consideration.
— Local doctors have requested being paid to cover the emergency room from 7 a.m. Mondays through 7 p.m. Fridays. Newman said compensation will be given to them as requested.
— Hospital and living center staff members will coordinate a fund-raiser to cover transition costs during Chingawassa Days. The Dinky Duck Race is being planned and 119 ducks have been "adopted" so far.
— The board will hold a special meeting at noon June 1 in the clinic basement to review and approve a health insurance contract for employees.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield has submitted a quote, which is a little more than what is currently being paid, Newman said. Insurance will include dental and prescriptions.
— Treasurer Greg Bowers reported the district's expenses for the month of April were $53,217 and income was $48,743. However, for the year, total inflows are $320,981 with outflows totaling $238,494.
Cash and bank accounts for the district total $331,649. There is a CD for $500,000.
— Bowers also presented the foundation report. The checking account has a balance of $544 and the investment account has a balance of $510,944.
— Daniel Mikolajcak, the logo contest winner, was at the meeting to present for final approval the new logo for the hospital and living center.
Mikolajcak is a junior at Centre High School and is from Slovakia, formerly the Czech Republic. The prize for the winning entry was a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. Because he is returning home in June, the board decided to give him the cash value of the savings bond which was $250.
Mikolajcak lives with the Ronnie Carlson family of Lincolnville.
— Martin Tice was elected as vice chairman of the board.
— The hospital auxiliary presented a report to the board.
The auxiliary has a balance of $994 in its general fund, $5,492 in its special fund, $6,487 in its checking account, and $2,000 in two CDs.
Scholarships from the auxiliary were announced this past Monday at Marion High School awards assembly. A formal presentation to the recipients will be at a luncheon at noon June 3 in the clinic basement.
— Board member Ken Vinduska was appointed to the home health care advisory board.
— The board adjourned to an executive session to discuss attorney-client issues. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
