Hospital board appoints new member from Richmond

By Michael Jacobson

The Paynesville Area Hospital District Board of Directors took the following actions at their meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
*The board approved a budget for its 2006 fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2005, to Sept. 30, 2006. The budget projects total operating revenue of $30.23 million, total operating expenses of $29.38, operating profit of $0.85 million, additional (non-operating) profit of $0.16 million, and a total profit of $1.01 million for 2006. (See separate story.) *The board approved a new investment plan and authorized investing $700,000 of its reserves with UBS Financial Services. PAHCS currently has $1,550,000 in reserves. UBS Financial Services has experience with government entities and only will invest the money in principal-safe government securities, chief financial officer Kirk Johnson told the board.

PAHCS also intends to put another $300,000 of its reserves into CDs at local lending institutions.

*The board appointed Deb Vogt to represent the city of Richmond on the hospital board, filling the position of Vickie Reugemer, who resigned after moving from the city limits. The hospital district received two candidates from the Richmond City Council, including a recommendation for Vogt. The hospital district also had another interested individual contact them directly.

Vogt previously served for four years on the Richmond City Council, including when the Richmond Medical Clinic was built. She also trained as an LPN and previously worked as a nurse.

This seat, having been vacated mid-term, will be up for election in November 2006.

*The board appointed Joe Musel, who represents Roseville Township on the board, as its new vice chair, replacing Reugemer. As vice chair, Musel will also serve as chairman of the PAHCS foundation.

*The board approved the Quality Improvement Plan, which is done annually.

*The board approved having the Chain of Lakes Medical Clinic in Cold Spring use First National Bank in Cold Spring for banking, including direct deposits for employees.

*The board was informed by CEO Steve Moburg that Dr. Ilaben Patel was unable to transfer her license from Louisiana to Minnesota and has relocated to Tennessee instead of joining PAHCS. The firm that PAHCS hired to recruit a doctor will credit the PAHCS and begin recruiting another doctor, who PAHCS has budgeted to join mid-year.

*The board was informed by Moburg that PAHCS has received a preliminary report from its long-term care demographic study. While administration is still reviewing the findings, Moburg did say that the Paynesville and Watkins markets (PAHCS operates the Koronis Manor in Paynesville and the Hilltop Care Center in Watkins) appear to be separate, with their own characteristics and little overlap.

*The board set a meeting for Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m. This will take the place of their November and December meetings. (Since the board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, its November and December meetings conflict with Thanksgiving and Christmas respectively.)

*The board approved a $7,000 eduational loan to Crystal Humber, a certified nursing assistant who is studying to become a registered nurse.

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