Board supports idea of new medical office facility

By Steve Moyer

Dr. Warren Lovinger presented the Nevada Regional Medical Center board with a proposal that would provide a medical office building for four doctors and would include space for an X-ray and laboratory.

The board agreed to provide moral support, passing a resolution expressing interest in the project, but not any financial help until the start of the new fiscal year in July. Lovinger pointed out that the building would help attract new physicians to Nevada.

"How can you attract new physicians, or even keep the physicians you have, if you don't have adequate space for them? This proposed medical office building would give Nevada some much-needed space which would help in physician recruitment efforts," Lovinger pointed out.

CEO Judith Feuquay announced the hiring of Charlene Clause as vice president, patient care services. Clause succeeds Arlene Kiepek who has been serving during the search process.

According to a press release provided by the hospital, Clause has more than 20 years of hospital management experience in small and large hospitals.

She holds a degree in nursing and a master's degree in Health Services Administration.

Clause comes to Nevada from Cushing, Okla., where she served as the chief nursing officer at Cushing Regional Hospital.

She will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the patient care services areas of the hospital, including medical/surgical, intensive care, obstetrics, mental health, emergency room, surgery services, pharmacy, home health as well as the wound care clinic.

Clause said she's "very excited at the potential of being part of a new executive team and pleased with the opportunity to apply her knowledge at a growing progressive hospital."

Feuquay reported that she had met with the CEO of Cedar County Memorial hospital concerning NRMC's providing radiologist reading coverage for the El Dorado Springs facility. She also said the hospital was receiving a very good response from the community for the medical screenings and exercise class and the Sunday health page, which lists events and educational programs.

The board approved purchasing two boilers to replace the ones in the old building. The board had looked into cross connecting the old system to the new boilers in the north annex but it would actually cost more than replacing the old boilers.

In other business the board:

* Renewed a contract with Dr. John Loney for ACLS instruction.

* Renewed a contract with Bio-Med for repair of clinical equipment.

* Brought in Dr. Jerry Jumper as interim medical director of emergency services until a permanent director can be found.

* Heard a report from Holly Bush, director of case management on steps to be taken to improve patient safety.