Hospital board approves payroll, pays bills
Marion County Hospital District #1 held a special meeting at noon Friday to approve payroll and accounts payable, and discuss physician recruitment.
Kevin Cronkleton, chief financial officer, reported after deductions payroll totaled approximately $75,000.
Bills approved for payment totaled $259,321.
Cronkleton distributed a copy of an example of enticements for physician recruitment provided by Quorum Health Resources, the district's management consultants.
Don Hodson, a physician with Marion Family Physicians, reported he had attended a recruitment seminar and talked with medical students.
There was one third-year medical student who showed interest and plans to visit the facility and community in the next several weeks.
Hodson asked the board to consider a rough draft or "something on paper" to provide to the student when he visits.
Martin Tice, acting chairman, said the board couldn't make any decisions today since they just reviewed the information. The next board meeting will be held Dec. 9 and Hodson was concerned that may not be sufficient time to prepare.
The board decided to hold a special meeting at noon Nov. 30 to review possible enticements.
Hodson reiterated doctors who had just completed schooling are interested in assistance in paying off student loans.
Beginning salary is not as much of an issue as addressing student loans, location of the facility and community, whether the family likes the community, and other considerations. Older doctors focus on other criteria when looking at a new facility, Hodson said.
Ken Vinduska, board member, asked Hodson when most students are available. Hodson responded the students will take their board examinations in July and be available in August 2005. Most will make decisions by January.
In other business:
— Cronkleton presented a written report regarding hospital statistics for October. Revenue totaled $570,000, Cronkleton reported.
— CIT, finance company for the hospital's lease agreement for software updating, has given a verbal approval to the district. Cronkleton said a formal document is being sent.
— Greg Bowers, district treasurer, reported a $100,000 certificate of deposit had been cashed and the district borrowed $100,000 from St. Luke Hospital Foundation.
— The board approved a $350 annual premium to carry liability insurance in case hospital employees steal narcotics from the district. The coverage is through the district's primary insurance carrier.
— A waiver of notice was approved by the board regarding the special meeting. Notation was made the official newspaper, the Marion County Record, was duly notified and represented at the meeting.
— The board approved a recess for a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Hodson and Cronkleton also were in attendance.
The board will conduct a special board meeting at noon Nov. 30. The regular board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Both will be in the clinic building basement.
