HOSPITAL UPDATE

As we move into this new spring season, we have some exciting updates to share.

The Hospital District received a $1,000,000 grant from the USDA. This combines with a $250,000 grant from The Group Health Foundation and $50,000 from Empire Health/Premera for a total of $1.3 million and the remaining balance will be paid out of current cash reserves. In the past, the electrical infrastructure has been placed under a moratorium and the grant funding will be used to address the electrical issues in the old hospital building. The project will include a new generator, transformer, electrical panels, and electrical room. Most of the work will occur outside the building but then connect into the old building. Once the electrical infrastructure update has been completed, we will investigate expanding our services with a mobile CT. We are excited to finally turn this project from a dream into reality!

A new scholarship program was approved by our Board. The scholarship program will cover full tuition costs for current employees that want to go back to school to further their healthcare education. The scholarship is based on current and future staffing needs. Scholarship award winners will have to sign an agreement to work a certain number of years for the district upon completion of their education.

The Board approved a 5-year strategic plan. We have been working on this for over a year and it contains some very exciting things. The plan lays out a path for further improving our financial performance through increased service utilization and expanded services, it addresses replacing our aging facility, and outlines how we continue to meet the needs of the community. We will be working on a campaign to share the strategic plan in more detail with the community.

We have added ultrasound services three and a half days a week and we are happy to have Rob Maves, sonographer, and local community member, as part of our team. All other patient volumes have increased, compared to last year, and total patient revenue is up substantially over last year.

We have signed an agreement with Integrative Health Care who will provide tele-behavioral health services at the Pomeroy Medical Clinic. We will have one dedicated Psych Nurse Practitioner and LCSW assigned to the clinic. We are excited to add this service line and the goal is to start seeing patients in June.

As we reflect on the challenges of last year and valuable lessons learned, we not just survived the pandemic, but we have thrived through it! This is all possible because of the hard work and dedication of our Board and staff, and we could not be prouder of our GCHD team. As always, we send our gratitude for0 your continued support to Garfield County Hospital District. We appreciate you!