The Board of the West Custer County Hospital District (WCCHD) swore in their newly-elected and returning members – Ron Terry, Cindy Alvarado, Shana McKellip, and Tom Shepard – at their regular meeting on May 29. Ann Barthrop, the Board’s designated election official, swore in the new Board and went over the election results, noting that over 700 Custer County citizens had voted in the May 6 election. After the swearing-in, the new Board heard reports and then selected new officers.
Alma Golden and Cindy Alvarado reported that they had gone to the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) quarterly advisory meeting, and said that HRRMC is interested in home health care coverage, which was identified as a major issue for Custer County patients, and they are seeking recommendations for providers. Alvarado also gave the Treasurer’s report, saying that the District’s income and expense levels in April were similar to last year’s numbers but that ambulance revenue was down for reasons unknown.
EMS Director Jaqueline Beach reported that she was working on a mutual aid agreement with Deer Mountain Fire District and that she had completed three community CPR classes. She also noted that the state had rated Custer County EMS highly on protocol points for safety features such as lights and sirens on runs, as well as trauma documentation and stroke evaluation. “April was crazy,” Beach said of the run report: “We had 73 calls, as opposed to 53 this time last year. During the snowstorm, it was like 12 calls in one day. So far, we have had 25 calls in the last ten days. In May, we had 46 calls over this time last year. We will need to consider a second crew; we are growing very quickly – we are covering second calls, but the crew gets tired.”
“Can your current facilities cover a second crew?” Shepard asked. “Not currently, but a remodel would help,” Beach replied.
Terry gave the Long-Range Advisory Committee (LRAC) report, saying he had been interviewing people from Chaffee County on some of the services they are providing there through organizations such as Helping Hands, a home care service with 200 volunteers. The LRAC is focusing on aging-in-place issues, looking at a different topic each month.
Operations Manager Lisa Kidwell reported that “lots of reorganization in office space to accommodate new specialists” was going on at the clinic, with plans to bring the registration area up to date electrically, putting the phlebotomy station elsewhere in the building to create more space and setting up a new mothers nursing area in the waiting room. She also presented a draft drawing of one of the murals slated for the hallways. She also reported that the EV charging stations in the clinic parking lot were ready for use during clinic business hours.
“We have done so much to bring this clinic up to date; we should do an open house after everything is done,” Kidwell concluded: “So the public can meet the Board, meet the staff, tour the building.” The Board agreed and discussed a possible late summer date.
For Officer selection, Alma Golden nominated Terry as Chairman. Terry spent a little time outlining his goals, such as increasing Board member activity in the community, expanding the Board to seven members – “it’s difficult to get a quorum otherwise, with only five” – and a by-laws revision, as well as an EMS liaison position on the Board. Shepard seconded the motion after that, which passed unanimously. Shepherd was nominated for Vice-Chair and EMS liaison, Alvarado for Treasurer, Golden to continue as Secretary and McKellip designated as an at-large member.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 26.
– Elliot Jackson
