The Bradley County Medical Center Board of Directors met Thursday, March 26, for its regularly scheduled meeting with all members present, welcoming new board member Ethan Vickers.
Following approval of the February meeting minutes, CEO/CFO Leslie Huitt introduced Tiffany White as the hospital’s new marketing director. White told the board she has been in the role for about a month and is focusing on expanding swing bed, cardiopulmonary services and the Rural Health Clinic. She said outreach efforts, including visits with case managers at other facilities, have already resulted in 11 referrals from Jefferson Regional Medical Center after a visit last week. White added that several community events are also being planned.
Huitt reported that February financials showed an increase in patient volumes compared with the same period last year, including a rise in acute patient days.
Board member French Wynne asked for an update on the hospital’s generator. Huitt said the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership is assisting the medical center in preparing a proposal to secure Rural Health Transformation funds. She noted the proposal is part of a larger effort involving 16 hospitals within the partnership.
Director of Nursing Jamie Wolfe commended the emergency department staff for handling a recent influx of critical patients. Wolfe also informed the board that Dr. Biggers is no longer working in the emergency department and has returned to the clinic while also serving as a hospitalist. He added that Dr. George is now rounding on her own admitted patients.
Chief Operating Officer Leeanna Williams presented photos of a newly remodeled pediatric therapy room at the Brunson Complex. The space will be used for occupational, physical and speech therapy and includes features such as a swing, trampoline, exercise equipment and a dry erase workspace. Williams said the cardiopulmonary department is also expanding and currently operates in two rooms. Hospital leaders are exploring options to combine the spaces into one larger room to better accommodate group settings.
The board approved three annual policies during the meeting.
Huitt reminded members of the hospital’s upcoming 75th anniversary celebration scheduled for June 11. She also presented several items for approval to be funded through sales tax revenue. These included a ventilator originally budgeted at $18,000 but now expected to cost approximately $25,000, new sensors for the facility’s chiller system, and nine updated credit card machines to replace obsolete equipment. The new payment system will feature lower fees and include a QR code option on billing statements to simplify patient payments. Additionally, the board approved replacing deteriorated concrete steps damaged by erosion and winter weather.
All funding requests were approved by the board.
The meeting concluded with an executive session.
The next Bradley County Medical Center Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 23.
