Published: June 22, 2009 01:26 pm      

NTMC elects new officers

North Texas Medical Center board of trustees approved the election of officers by a 7-1 vote, during their June 22 meeting.

Officers for NTMC Board of Directors are President Don Wallace, Vice President Jim Lovett and Secretary Gloria Parrish. Board member Stephen Harlow cast the dissenting vote.

Board members approved by an 8-0 vote the purchase of a $1.1 million CD from First State Bank, who offered the highest bid for APY. The purchase was recommended by the finance committee.

The tax appraisal values set for the 1820 O’Neal property and the reopening to accept bids for purchase of the property were accepted by the board by an 8-0 vote.

The capital expenditure requests for upgrading the central monitor system in the Women’s Center and orthopedic instruments and equipment were approved by an 8-0 vote.

The total project cost to upgrade the central monitor system in the Women’s center is approximately $83,602.

The total project cost for the orthopedic instruments and equipment needed by Mark Sanders for surgical needs to operate in the hospital is approximately $57,925.

Board members reviewed the letter and request from Allen Salem, MD to forgive the remainder of his hospital lease and voted 8-0 to continue to move toward collecting the contract amount due from Salem.

The public information request policy to clarify the Gainesville Hospital District’s policy was approved by the board by a 7-1 vote, with Harlow casting the dissenting vote.

The Financial Statement Summary for the month ending April 2009 shows gross patient revenue of approximately $7,393,000 and a net operating margin of 30 percent. Expenses for the month were $2,538,000. The days of cash on hand is at 206.

NTMC attorney Kevin Reed of Davis and Wilkerson updated the board with an education session on healthcare reform. Reed’s presentation included a summary of the federal stimulus package, recovery audit contractors, confidentiality issues, and the Texas Public Information Act.

The quality committee reported the committee accepted the hospital’s complaint resolution activity for a patient complaint and received and accepted the Risk Management Report.

The committee welcomed new committee member Ken Arterbury and received and accepted the Hospital Department/Clinical Service DASHBOARD.

The finance committee reported they are preparing the budget for the new fiscal year. The committee distributed a budget timeline to board members. The preliminary budget is scheduled for distribution to the board in August and the budget is scheduled for approval in September. The new fiscal year starts October 1.

Nursing Services Director Gayle Prybutok reported that several nurses have received special oncology training in preparation for the opening of the cancer center.

Prybutok said the department is expanding the disaster plan to include short-term disasters and to prepare the hospital in case it is needed to become a shelter.

NTMC Community Relations Director Gayla Blanton distributed the Board Update for May and June of 2009 which included the following information. The NTMC Auxiliary closed out the 2008-2009 Auxiliary year and installed officers for the term beginning June 1.

Blanton reported that the NTMC Auxiliary awarded $3,000 in scholarships to area high school graduates and $1,000 to NCTC spring semester students.

Blanton reported the Junior Volunteer Program for ten young men and women, ages 15-18, starts June 22 and goes through July 31. Youth from Gainesville, Whitesboro and Valley View are part of this year’s program and each volunteer will serve a minimum of 24 hours and work in a variety of areas in the hospital.

NTMC Foundation Director Dennis Noblett reported the Employee PTO Campaign raised $19,667 and the plaque has been ordered. Noblett said the foundation is wrapping up loose ends for the Special edition Campaign.

Noblett said ongoing meetings and planning are taking place for the 13th Annual Halloween Hustle, Gala at Lake Kiowa and the Second Annual Halloween Hustle.

The foundation is finishing up the supply of information to Schalk and Smith for the annual audit and the finance committee is continuing to search for and move funds to conservative, yet profitable investments.

NTMC Chief of Staff Dr. Robert McLeroy said the department is researching how electronic medical records will affect physicians. McLeroy said it is essential that the systems and purchases made by the hospital and physicians be technologically compatible.

Chief Executive Officer Steve Porter reported that orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Mark Sanders is planning for a July 13 opening of his practice in Gainesville. His office will be in the Medical Office Building recently opened at the NTMC campus.

Porter said the hospital will be hosting an ear, nose and throat specialist for a second visit in July.

Porter distributed reading material to the board through their meeting agenda from Modern Healthcare Magazine

All the consent items were approved by an 8-0 vote. Consent items included approval of minutes of the regular board meeting May 17, 2009, financial statement for May 2009 and consideration of contract of Cooke County Appraisal District. Items included approval of appointments of Kamran Chaudhry, MD; Andrea Green, MD; Nemat Dadfar, DO; re-appointments of Jason Finkelstein, MD; Vicky Borck, DO; James Cole, MD; changes in staff status of Allen Salem, MD and appointments of Allied Health Professional Terri Clark, PT. Items included resolution authorizing sale of foreclosed property by the sheriff of Cooke county at public auction per letter from Jim Robertson.

The presentation of an award by Britt Berrett, President and CEO of Medical City Dallas Hospital was moved to the next board meeting.

All board members attended the meeting except Diane Eichenberg.