The Bradley County Medical Center Board met Thursday, Aug. 28, for its regular monthly meeting, where members reviewed financials, discussed recent developments at the Rural Health Clinic, and approved annual policies.
Controller Matt Pace reported that both hospital stays and visits to the Rural Health Clinic increased from the previous month, with the clinic seeing 100 more patient visits. Gross patient revenue totaled approximately $3.6 million, with a net operating revenue of $2 million and a net income of $264,000 for the month of July. Accounts receivable increased by $100,000, and the clinic earned $3,354 in July. An additional $107,000 was added from the county sales tax fund.
CEO Leslie Huitt noted that while the clinic has had intermittent months of profitability, revenue may decline temporarily due to the recent hiring of Dr. Russell Gregory. Gregory saw seven patients following his meet-and-greet event and is currently averaging two to three patients per day. Huitt expressed optimism, noting that Gregory has already drawn new patients, including one couple from Fordyce who heard about the clinic through a radio ad. He has also recently completed a shift in the emergency department.
Several events are being planned to introduce Dr. Gregory to the community, including another evening meet-and-greet at the clinic and participation in the BCMC tailgate, a joint event with Commercial Bank, at Warren’s homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 17. Gregory will also attend the Hermitage Fall Festival, where BCMC will host a booth.
Huitt announced that BCMC is the first hospital in Arkansas to partner with RAPA for remote reading of diagnostic mammograms, reducing wait times that previously occurred due to on-site radiologist availability only twice per month.
In additional positive news, Huitt reported that after a year and a half of effort, BCMC has met the criteria for ARPA funding and will receive an additional $2.7 million.
A Community Health Needs Assessment meeting was held Wednesday, Aug. 27, with strong public turnout. The goal of collecting 150 surveys was surpassed, with 227 completed. Survey results indicated a community desire for more education and resources on chronic disease management and increased access to specialty care.
As the fiscal year draws to a close, Huitt said budget preparations are underway. She expressed concern about declining cash balances but was encouraged by improvements on the income statement. She also reminded the board that Arkansas Cardiology will soon send a new cardiologist, Dr. Michael Cross, and noted that cardiopulmonary rehab services are scheduled to begin in November.
Chief Nursing Officer Jamie Wolfe reported that COVID-19 cases are beginning to rise, with three in July and seven so far in August. He shared that BCMC has been approved for a grant to implement a new AI-powered transcription program, DAX Copilot, which turns patient-physician conversations into progress notes that integrate into the electronic medical record system.
Wolfe also praised the emergency department’s continued success with the stroke program, IDHI (formerly AR SAVES), and announced that Clinical Nurse Educator Krissy Morrison will provide community Narcan training. The course is expected to be scheduled for late September or early October.
The board approved several annual hospital policies during the meeting.
In other business, it was noted that Huitt and Chief Operating Officer Leeanna Williams recently attended the HFMA Summer Conference, where they discussed the “Big Beautiful Bill” and potential cuts to Medicaid. Huitt cautioned that such cuts could significantly affect the hospital, as many ER patients are self-pay.
The board then entered executive session to discuss personnel matters.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25.
