GCHD $1.4 million electrical project to be split into phases

POMEROY–The Garfield County Hospital District Board of Commissioners accepted a bid and split an electrical project into phases, celebrated the certification of co-CEOs Jayd Keener and Mat Slaybaugh and approved a change to the financial assistance policy at their meeting on August 7.

The board accepted a bid from Twin City Electrical out of Clarkston for the construction of the electrical project at Garfield County Memorial Hospital. The total amount is $1,447,000 and will be divided into two phases; the first one will place the generator and equipment and the second phase will replace the connections. Phase one is funded with grants from the United States Department of Agriculture, the Innovia Foundation, Group Health Foundation, and Empire Health. Phase two funding is pending.

The project will eliminate electrical limitations on the oldest side of the Hospital and allow the district to place and operate a CT scanner. Possible funding sources for phase two are grants, a loan, and a levy.

Co-CEOs Mat Slaybaugh and Jayd Keener have completed a rural hospital CEO certification process through the National Rural Health Association. They were presented with certificates and blazers at the meeting, and after the presentation the board celebrated with dessert provided by the Employee Auxiliary Committee formed by Garfield County Memorial Hospital employees.

The financial assistance policy has been renamed the Charity Care Policy, and approved by the state. It includes a new sliding fee scale as well.