Board Meeting

January 12, 2002

The following are un-edited comments made in a group discussion at an open public meeting with the Board of Directors concerning the initial strategic plan.

• When we look at comparables there are few places where we can go for comparison. Odessa is the closest. We are really looking at about 3 patient days per day. Where this is going is what we are concerned with. What we need to do is a better job of blowing our own horn. Don’t wait for the nay Sayers just move on.
• Comprehensive marketing – build volumes by doing better health maintenance, communicate a preventive care message, wellness programs, set a good example to the community. Best practices for each type of specific chronic illness, schedule appointments ahead of time, schedule wellness clinics target specific diseases. Talk about hiring an ARNP to do this.
• I don’t think that Dr. Zafar will stay around after this next term; he is very ambitious we may not offer him enough challenge. What we need to do is make sure we prepare for a transition.
• I think if someone receives a letter they are more willing to come in. If the doctor tells me to come in I am going. We have to sell service. That’s the only thing we have going for us. We have a lot of things we could advertise about our nursing home, pheasants, deer, squirrels, etc. We need to do a better sales job. Trust and stability. The only way to get rich is to build up a platform to build up to it and level off. Don’t jump too fast. I think Dr. Zafar would be willing to stay if we make it attractive to him.
• We have to remember people in Garfield County hold grudges and have cultural bias.
• When I think of services we could offer I think of physical therapy and lab.
• Have we defined stability? I think stability is no pro share, but I think we will always have to run a levy.
• I think stability is; no levy, no pro share and a 1-3% margin.
• We need to advocate for some minimum revenue level.
• Priorities: debt free, capital reserves, wage enhancements, and contribution margin.
• People choose to stay in Pomeroy for the life style. There are a lot of people who choose it for the ties to family and quality of life.
• I think things are picking up, but it is slow and we keep looking for a miracle.
• If we could increase our volume just marginally, it could very positively impact the bottom line.
• Rich Cardwell may be a good choice to look at the structural aspects of the building.
• **Sigmoid scope may enhance our revenue, could be done at the doctor’s office, and could even be done with a nurse. We need to do a cost benefit analysis right away.
• I here a lot of mothers with children who would like pediatrician in the area, asthma, ENT, preventive care, immunizations.
• Using the space rather than letting it go dormant, ie: visiting physicians.