The Board of Trustees of the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital District held their monthly meeting Tuesday.
Highlights of the meeting included:
Dr. Greg Mitchell, Program Director, UT Family Medicine, presented a special report on the UT Family Medicine Residency Program.
Medical Staff Privileges
The Board approved recommendations for medical staff privileges at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital as presented by Dr. Jackie Taylor, Chief Physician Executive.
Resolution: Medical Staff Bylaws
The Board approved a resolution presented by Dr. Jackie Taylor, Chief Physician Executive, to amend the Jackson-General Hospital Medical Staff Bylaws to include the scope of practice for Certified Palliative Care and Hospice Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants.
Resolution: Bond Resolution
The Board approved a resolution presented by Jeff Blankenship, Chief Financial Officer, in order to comply with Treasury regulations which require the District to declare intent to reimburse for certain prior expenditures with subsequent borrowing.
Resolution: Elevator Upgrade
The Board approved a resolution presented by Tim Adams, VP, for upgrades to two elevators at Dyersburg Hospital at a cost $581,675 from budgeted District funds.
Resolution: Dish Room Renovation
The Board approved a resolution presented by Tim Adams, VP, for repairs to be made to the dish room at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital at cost of $441,342 from budgeted District funds.
Resolution: Neonatal ICU Renovation
The Board approved a resolution presented by Tim Adams, VP, for modification of the neonatal intensive care unit construction project at a cost of $489,295 from budgeted District funds.
Committee Reports
The Board heard a summary report of the most recent West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation meeting from Mrs. Vicki Burch.
CFO Report
Jeff Blankenship, Chief Financial Officer, provided an update on the organization’s financial performance. COVID-19 volume declined significantly in February.
“With this decline and suppressed volume otherwise due to significant winter weather for a week or so, revenue for the month was down,” Blankenship said, “Whereas revenue had been trending above budget leading up to February, it was down 6% in the month.
“With the decline in COVID-19 cases, the expense level decreased. However, as we’ve seen throughout the fiscal year, costs still exceeded budget (+1% in February and +8% fiscal year to-date).
“The decline in revenue combined with costs in excess of budget resulted in an operating loss for the month. For the fiscal year to-date through February, the system’s operating margin was -3.2% vs. 2.4% budgeted. We await further guidance from federal agencies on relief funding to determine how much relief funding may be retained to offset this loss.”
President’s Report
From James Ross, President and CEO
Mr. Ross thanked and recognized Dr. Greg Mitchell for his special report and for all of the important contributions that he and UT Family Medicine make to this community. They are a nationally recognized program.
Mr. Ross also recognized the teams who have been coordinating the COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout the system. Their work is so important in fighting this virus, and they are doing an incredible job.
Mr. Ross recognized the following West Tennessee Healthcare employees who were acknowledged by the City of Jackson during Women’s History Month for contributions to the community:
Rose Bailey
Regina Smith
Vicki Lake
Beth Koffman
Rachel Ryan
Sara Yarbrough
Stephanie Fowler
Tammy Hardee
Tonya Vaughn
Carrie Knox
Rebecca Creasy
Amy Garner
Also, the following EMS employees were recognized for the Children’s Emergency Care Alliance (CECATN) – 2020 Star of Life Award for Tennessee Region 7. This was based on a 911 call made locally on November 16, 2020 in Jackson for a 16 year old patient with a gunshot wound to the chest who survived and is now back in the Jackson community.
Jason Wheeler- Paramedic
Daniel Harris- Paramedic
Wesley Bivens- EMS Dispatch
Logan Fiddler- EMS Dispatch
Terry Ness- EMS Dispatch
James Fox- EMS Dispatch
Mr. Ross also acknowledged all physicians “on our Medical Staffs on this Doctors’ Day.” Thanks to all of our doctors and all that they do for our patients each and every day in “meeting the need and making a difference.”
