LHD board honors Dr. Wilkinson for dedicated service

  • At Monday’s Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors meeting, Lavaca Medical Center physician Dr. Maurice Wilkinson was honored for her many years of dedicated service to the hospital. From left are LHD president James Fenner, Wilkinson, and LMC administrator Steve Bowen. Photo by Jimmy Appelt
    At Monday’s Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors meeting, Lavaca Medical Center physician Dr. Maurice Wilkinson was honored for her many years of dedicated service to the hospital. From left are LHD president James Fenner, Wilkinson, and LMC administrator Steve Bowen. Photo by Jimmy Appelt

    The Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors held its regular meeting Monday evening and honored Dr. Maurice Wilkinson for her many years of dedicated service to Lavaca Medical Center.

    Wilkinson, who has practiced medicine for 48 years, was presented a plaque by LMC administrator Steve Bowen.

    “We all appreciate everything she does,” Bowen said during the plaque presentation. “Dr. Wilkinson is dedicated to this hospital, the employees and the patients she oversees.”

    In thanking the board for the honor Wilkinson told the board, “Our job (as doctors) is to be very responsible and take care of this hospital because this is where our money comes from to keep our health care services alive. It’s not the clinic. It’s not the outpatient services. It’s what we do inpatient that counts and we all have to be due-diligent in keeping it going. So, until my last spur is undone and hung up, I’m going to continue admitting patients. So, ya’ll are stuck with me, cause I’m not hanging it up.”

    Wilkinson has served as the LMC chief of staff since 2013 until this past December.

    Oracle Cerner

    The board heard from Oracle Cerner client accountable executive, Shawn Decker, who spoke about what Cerner does for LMC.

    According to the organization’s website, the Oracle Cerner is a health information technology (HIT) company that provides digital systems for hospitals and health systems.

    Decker said Oracle Cerner partners with LMC and she explained the strategies they follow in partnering with the hospital.

    “There are a lot of people in our organization, who have relations with LMC and I am the gatekeeper,” Decker said. “I visit with your team on a regular basis.”

    Decker said she assists with projects, making sure they are tracking, and also helping with contracting, quoting and road mapping.

    “As an organization, we have to have a computer system that works for you by keeping the doors open to take care of the patients and making sure the patients are engaged,” Decker said.

    Administration/ Financial Report

    Lavaca Medical Center administrator Steve Bowen , presented the admini s t r a t i o n and financial report for January.

    Bowen informed the board about a clinic program evaluation that is reported to the state. He said it’s very comprehensive and includes the number of patient visits, clinic operations, lab services and medical records.

    Bowen reported the insurance carrier for LMC conducted a risk management survey in September with only two minor items to correct.

    Bowen said the architects for the Physical Therapy/Wellness Center are finishing up their drawings and are nearing the process of going out for bids.

    He listed the steps that will be followed in bringing the matter to the board. Bowen said he hopes to bring it all to the board in May.

    Bowen talked about the gastroenterologist situation at LMC saying Dr. Gonzales will be leaving in June and LMC will have Dr. Awad as well as another GI starting practice in a month and a half. He said a third GI will be visiting the facility on Thursday.

    Regarding a trauma survey held at LMC, Bowen said it went very well with only one minor deficiency reported.

    Bowen reported that LMC will host a Community Health Screening event on March 12 in the hospital lobby.

    Bowen said the LMC Auxiliary and employees held a bake sale last week to raise funds for the families of two LMC employees, who recently passed away. He said the bake sale did very well.

    In regards to the financial report, Bowen said January was a very interesting month.

    He said clinic visits set an all-time high with 1,528 visits.

    Bowen said LMC set a record in cash collections and the district revenue was up 12% in comparison to last January. He said other revenue was up 14% compared to last year at this time.

    In other action taken by the board:

    • Approved the nursing staff report presented by LMC director of nursing Marlene Irvin.

    Board president James Fenner presided over the meeting with board members Carl Hobbs, Forrest Kroschel, Gene Schott and Ronnie Juenke attending the meeting.