Folks,
New jobs take a lot of getting used to. With it come change and different experiences and sets of circumstances. Part of my job is maintaining a really good relationship with our Board and our managing partner (Methodist). After all, those are my bosses so probably in my best interest! Most hospitals don’t have a managing partner, and most only have one Board. But because of our relationship with Methodist and because we are the Val Verde County Hospital, I actually have two Boards and a partner. That’s six big-time meetings that my team and me have to be prepared for, present at, and live with the outcomes. So as I write this note on the 31st of the month, I’m beat! But we’ll get up and do it all again next month (that’s mañana)!
Let me give you some good updates that came as a result of this month’s myriad of committee meetings and Board meetings. First of all, our operating budget was approved, and we have told the Board that our good fortunes are no fluke. This is in large credit to you guys who continue to do an outstanding job in how we deliver patient care. Second, our capital budget got approved. I’m real excited about this one. We have received $2.6 million for capital improvements over the course of the next 12 months. That is more than the last 24 months combined. The majority of that--$2M—will go to making major upgrades and replacement of inferior equipment plus some new things we’ve been longing for a while now and have the means to purchase. The balance of that money—about $600,000 will go toward continuing our cosmetic improvements you are seeing in the main lobby. This again sends a very clear message that the Board has a lot of confidence in you guys. Great job, and it’ll be fun to spend the money responsibly and work to continue to get the message out in the community about all the ways in which we are improving. In a down economy, to show this type of investment should resonate well with our neighbors who depend on us for their health care needs. Thirdly, our bonus plan was once again approved. We’ve got some new twists this year that I think will be well-received by our team. This is such a valuable tool to help align everyone’s incentives with our strategic and clinical goals. In short order, we will roll out to everyone the metrics we will be measured upon as well as how we are performing 2 months into the fiscal year.
Congratulations are in order for Sheri Weathersbee and Falon Durbin for their recent promotions and new leadership roles in the organization. Sheri will be leading our charge around Infection Control, and Falon will take the lead in the ICU and Special Procedures. I’ve gotten to know both of these ladies very well in my first few months here and am excited about the selections as I know both share my sprit around service and leadership by example. You guys go get’em!!
Our weekend clinic is doing exceptionally well. Congrats to Adrian and his crew for working very hard to make this effort the success we knew it would be. We’ve yet to peak, and if you drive by the clinic on a Saturday afternoon, parking lot looks pretty full. The feedback from the community remains strong.
Lastly, I am so impressed with our United Way efforts. Unbelievable that in one afternoon we could raise nearly $10,000. Again, in a down economy, this to me is a perfect illustration of our engaged workforce who realizes the importance of our efforts to support the community. I know we have several fundraisers still ahead, and I urge you to support. I’ve heard about Jed’s burgers, and am coming back early from a meeting in San Antonio next week to make! See you out on the lawn for that event.
Keep the Spirit,
Marc