Personnel changes top RCH trustee agenda
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In a brief regular monthly meeting held Monday, April 25, Ringgold County Hospital’s board of directors heard department information reports from Chief of Staff Dr. Katie Wilcox, CNO Amy Mobley and CFO Missy Walter, as well as an update from CEO Joe Mangiameli discussing ongoing leadership changes and strategic initiatives.
Dr. Wilcox shared information on new staff including new ER Director, Dr. Jennifer Moretina, and Dr. Justin Morgan, who also work in ER providing needed ER coverage beginning in May. Dr. Bruce Ricker will also be returning to full practice on May 2. Teya Still, currently working in the laboratory, has received credentials and is now a licensed medical laboratory scientist and will continue employment in the lab in her new position. Senior Life Solutions will also be gaining a second therapist, Linda Vandivert, which will allow for a second tract of patients to be served. Vandivert is a licensed social worker who is already familiar with RCH and brings experience to her new role with Senior Life Solutions. She will begin seeing patients June 1.
On the financial side of things, Missy Walter reported a “pretty good month” for March with a net loss of $8,350 and a negative bottom line of $3,800. Inpatient revenue came in ahead of budget at $2.7M for the sixth straight month, while outpatient was short of budget by about $21K and the Mount Ayr Medical Clinic came in just under-budget reporting revenue of $1.9M. Gross revenue was nearly $22.6M, just short by $10,000. 340B revenue continues a downward trend with March numbers of $23.5K reported, just a little over ½ the budgeted amount.
Operating expenses showed salaries and wages under-budget by $40K due to doctor and nurse wages in the clinic. Benefits were under-budget by nearly $16K with health insurance claims down. Other expenses were mostly in line. Total operating expense were $19M for the month just barely under budgeted amounts. Although year-to-date numbers are slipping, Walter concluded, “We are sitting better than we were a couple of months ago.” On a side note, Walter also brought up discussion regarding a program to cut down on accounts receivable and improve financial performance through offered discounts for those who pay their bills when they are billed or upfront as needed. The board agreed for Walter to bring more information and a plan for offering this type of discount.
Amy Mobley, reported a third group of SWCC nursing students have completed their clinicals at RCH and an additional summer group will finish out the year. National Hospital Week is the first week of May and several activities are planned. On May 9, the Daisy Award will be presented to one deserving nurse. Summing up activity within Mobley’s department, she stated that they have had their first year of reviewing clinical services and even with a lot of changes, groups under her leadership have had a very productive year.
Joe Mangiameli rounded out the regular meeting with information on the new Senior Leadership team recently created. The lists of team members include: Director of Ambulatory Services, Leslie Dredge-Murphy; Director of Revenue Cycle, Mary Eason; Director of Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Jill Ehlen; Director of Nursing, Molly Kayser; and Director of Support Services, Rhett Murphy.
Mangiameli again stressed the importance of the goal to retain current patients, to provide service excellence in services currently provided, while always looking to add needed services as they are available and within the ability of the hospital and clinic. Mangiameli went on to say, as well as retaining current patients, there should always be a modicum of new patient growth.
Mangiameli was questioned as to possible effects on RCH/MAMC regarding the new ownership of Mercy One which is now under the Trinity parent company. Mangiameli started by stating there will be no name change which he felt was a good decision to keep continuity and trust in the name. He also expressed confidence that good changes will come out of this new ownership, citing the opportunity for improved efficiency for rural healthcare facilities and a smooth transition that will provide added benefits to the local hospital and clinic.
The meeting closed and the board went into Executive session citing Code J.