JONATHAN CANADAY
Southwest Arkansas Radio
NASHVILLE – Howard Memorial Hospital is
looking to end the year on a positive note. During
Tuesday’s December meeting of the Howard
Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, hospital
Chief Financial Officer Bill Craig reported above
budget emergency department visits and surgery
cases, during the month of November.
Craig said Cardiac Rehab volumes continue to
exceed budget, with volumes for the Compass
Behavioral Health Clinic and Pulmonary Rehab
Services increasing. However, November did
have a drop in outpatient visits, most likely due
to the Thanksgiving holiday and one physician
office that was closed during that week. The
hospital board approved reinvesting a $100,000
certificate of deposit in a short term CD for
three years, at an interest rate of two percent.
November collectible revenue ended up below
budget, however hospital officials reported
collecting over one million dollars on patient
accounts with over $49,000 from point of service
collections. While initial numbers show a
decrease in volume, the hospital is collecting
more revenue per patient.
HMH Chief Executive Officer Debra Wright
reported that 94 percent of the hospital’s 2015
goals have been achieved. She said these
results demonstrate what a high performance
team can accomplish when working together
to achieve goals and objectives. Several new
services are now being offered and have been
implemented this year.
The hospital’s new electronic sign has been
installed. There have been a few issues with
hooking up electricity, according to Administrative
Director Kim Turbeville. She says this will
be a great tool to help communicate with the
public about new services, classes and disaster
messages. When the electric is finished, they
will be reworking the landscaping.
The hospital board of directors congratulated
several individuals on appointments
and achievements. CEO Wright has accepted
the board member position representing the
southwest district of Arkansas on the Arkansas
Hospital Association board of directors. Chief
Nursing Officer Alesha Collins has joined the
Arkansas Action Coalition, which is the state
sub-committee of the National Future of Nursing:
Campaign for Action. Collins is a member
of the Education and Leadership Pillars, which
is seeking to increase the number of Bachelor
prepared nurses in the
state. Dr. Luis Barandiaran
has passed his board certifications
with the American
College of Surgery for the
fourth time.
Hospital officials recently
recognized several
employees during the annual
service awards presentation.
Eddie Beene,
RN Emergency Department,
received a service award
for 35 years of employment
at HMH. Dr. John Sayre
received the Physician of
the Year award. Jill Crump,
RN Surgical Services Director,
received the Doctor’s
Annual Nurse Award, and
Jessica Disotell, RN Patient
Care Unit, received the Employee
of the Year award.
Chairman Brenda Ward
recognized outgoing board
member Barry Wright, who
is resigning due to health
reasons. Wright served
from July of 2010 through
December of this year. Dr.
Glenn Lance will be serving
in Wright’s board position
beginning in January. Chairman
Ward also announced
that she has decided not
to remain on the board
and will leave after her
term ends in July of 2016.
The nominating committee
submitted Wes Howard’s
name (who works as an
accountant in Dierks) and
the HMH board of directors
approved that selection
during Tuesday’s meeting.
Howard will attend
meetings as a non-voting
member up until that time.
