Injury clinic, positive financial report top RCH board agenda
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by Brenda Grose
MOUNT AYR – A reminder about the ongoing MACHS injury clinic offered through Ringgold County Hospital, a recap of the RCH Foundation and a financial report showing the “first positive gain in three years” were all topics heard when Ringgold County Hospital trustees met for their regular monthly meeting, Monday, August 25.
In explaining how the free injury clinic works, CEO Nicky Gilbertson stated the clinic is provided to athletes after an injury during an athletic event. The clinic is held one day per week at the school and athletes are allowed to sign up for assessment at their or their coach’s discretion. With the assessment, a recommendation for treatment may be provided to the athlete, such as the need for ongoing monitoring at the injury clinic or for a visit to their primary care provider or other medical provider. The clinic is staffed by Nate Bedel, DPT.
Rhett Murphy, Director of Operations presented a recap of the RCH foundation which began in the fall of 2023. The RCH Foundation Mission Statement reads,” Ringgold County Hospital Foundation’s mission is to support individuals, businesses, and organizations for the growth and advancement of exceptional rural healthcare to create a positive experience for patients, staff, and community here at RCH.”
The foundation was created as a 5013C (nonprofit) organization. It is led by a board that includes staff members, a board of trustee’s member and a community member. The foundation is mainly funded through an ongoing membership drive which includes individuals, families, and businesses. Its major fundraiser is the annual RCH Golf tournament. Murphy listed projects, scholarships, equipment, and community activities funded for this year.
In May, two Senior scholarships were awarded in the amount of $1,000 each. Projects funded were a new enhanced window glass in the ER lobby to provide employee safety and patient privacy, as well as a privacy wall installed for the Mount Ayr Medical Clinic. The foundation was also able to provide a portion of the total purchase price of a tractor for the maintenance department. Rounding out the list was funding for a kid’s golf tournament.
Clint Reynolds, CFO, gave the financial report for July with inpatient revenue underbudget by $178K, outpatient revenue exceeding budget by $185K and primary and specialty care exceeding budget by $36K resulting in gross revenue over budget by $44K. Net revenue was under-budget by $469K with Net 340B revenue at $10K. While the month’s net was underbudget, Reynolds reported it to be the best July in terms of the last three years.
On the expense side every department came in underbudget with only a couple close to budget numbers. Salaries and wages were underbudget by $67K, benefits were $18K underbudget, and contract labor was under by $4K. Total operating expenses for the month were $2.17M and were also underbudget. Year to date bottom line was a gain of $48K.
Reynolds concluded his report saying roofs had been completed on the metal sheds impacted by the storms of April 2024 and a start date for the main roof has not been determined. Additional information shared from Amy Mobley, DON, was the purchase and installation of upgraded lights and booms in the surgery room. Mobley also stated RCH will once again be partnering with SWCC nursing students and will be bringing LPN students back in house beginning in January. RN students will begin in September. Denise Coleman, ARNP will instruct the RN students and Emma Mobley, RN will be instructing the LPN students. Gilbertson and several board members commented on the big turnout for the first kid’s triathlon held on Saturday, August 23. Well attended not only by kids, but by parents, RCH staff, and others there to cheer on the participants, it was a success for organizer, Keegan Bethards, RCH marketing coordinator.
The event included several activities for the varied age groups, as well as a drawing for prizes which included bikes and helmets.
