Yuma Hospital District’s new CEO Anne Kreutzer began in her new role on Wednesday of this week, May 1.
The YHD Board of Directors discussed her arrival during its regular monthly meeting, last week in the Pearse Board Room. Board President Monica King, and Mitch Korf, Delaina Klein and De Ann Sewell were in attendance. Robert Dorothy was absent.
Korf said he planned on being onsite to welcome Kreutzer. He suggested having all the board there if possible and have a welcoming event before she gets down to work. He noted it would have to be posted as a board meeting if that was the case.
Ted Beckman, who has served as interim CEO since last summer, said Kreutzer will have a busy Wednesday and Thursday, and suggested possibly doing something Friday afternoon. Korf said he was fine with that. “I just want to do something to welcome her,” he said.
The board decided on having a meet and greet with the staff Friday afternoon. It also was decided to have some flowers waiting for her when she arrived Wednesday morning.
Lab update
Beckman provided an update on the lab situation. He said he keeps hearing the lab is closed, when in fact it is open, processing samples and sending them out.
The tests are not being done in-house at the moment as the machines are being recalibrated if necessary, and going through the required proficiency tests. There are two medical lab technologists helping with the running of the machines and the tests. Policies also are being updated.
Beckman said all the testing and procedures will be completed by June 1.
Facility upgrades
The board spent a considerable amount of time discussing possible efficiency upgrades at Yuma District Hospital & Clinics.
Schneider Electric, working through the Colorado Energy Office, made a presentation in February on energy-efficient upgrades, and the board discussed it further at the March meeting, and again last week. The 17-year-old building is in need of new rooftop units, a control system, boilers, windows and a new floor in the Emergency Room. There is also the possibility of installing a solar system in the open space north of YDHC.
The costs are considerable, but it was made clear to the board that items such as the rooftop units need to be addressed.
Schneider would first start with an investment grade audit. Korf visited with a Schneider representative recently, and the audit would take four to five months. The cost of the audit would be part of the overall package if the district moved forward with Schneider.
The program is done through the Colorado Energy Office, which focuses on facilities that need help meeting such costs. There are grants available, and Korf said he was told there is one particular grant that YDHC qualifies for that could end up paying for all upgrades.
Schneider guarantees the savings in utility costs will pay for the expenses.
There was a lot of discussion about the solar project.
Klein said she thought the new CEO should be in place before making a decision on moving forward with the audit. Sewell said it impacts the whole building so it was important get moving.
Korf pushed for two board members to focus on this issue, allowing for them to meet with Kreutzer without it having to be a board meeting. Klein and Dorothy are taking on that assignment.
Finances
Financial Officer Rick Korf told the board that revenue was down in March, and that expenses were running $400,000 higher than at the same time last year. However, overall operating revenue is $2.3 million above last year at this time.
Korf noted that the loss was contained on the hospital side, while Home Health, the Yuma Clinic and Akron Clinic were on the positive side. Korf said it is likely to there being more patient traffic, resulting in more costs.
Korf said $200,000 from the Raymond James Investments fund was utilized to help cover payments due. The hospital district now has used $450,000 of the investment funds. The board approved in January accessing up to $2 million in those funds for payroll and day-to-day operations.
Korf noted tax revenue is coming in now, and the district probably will not have to touch the investment funds
More
Beckman shared with the board some positive comments about some of the staff.
He later reported that Dr. Prince, a pediatrician that holds specialty clinic hours each month, is moving to California to be closer to her mother, but is working with other doctors to take her patients. Dr. Soriano, an OBGYN from St. Elizabeth, will start specialty clinic hours in May.