Juenke appointed to LHD board
The Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors met Monday evening, Nov. 20 and appointed Ronnie Juenke to the Place 3 position on the board.
Juenke replaces John Allen who resigned from the board last month.
Originally from McAllen, Juenke has been part of the community for the past 16 years and retired after having a career in the oil and gas industry for 34 years. His last 25 years he worked for Conoco Phillips.
Juenke is a member of the Hallettsville Rotary Club and the First United Methodist Church.
Medical Staff Applications:
The board accepted a list of medical staff applications presented by LMC chief of staff Dr. Maurice Wilkinson.
Nine physicians were approved for Advancement from Provisional Consulting staff, one for Advancement from Provisional Courtesy staff and three applications for Provisional Consulting staff.
In addition Doctors Morgan Heck and Wilkinson were reappointed to Active staff and 17 physicians were reappointed to Courtesy staff.
Forty-six other doctors were reappointed to Consulting staff and 21 to Allied Health Personnel.
December Meeting Cancelled:
The board voted to not hold a December meeting with the January meeting taking place on Monday, Jan. 15.
Administrative/Financial Report:
Lavaca Medical Center administrator Steve Bowen presented his administrative report for the month of October.
Bowen informed the board that the annual Christmas Party would be held at Blase’s Place on Friday, Dec. 15.
Bowen reported the Awareness Walk for Breast Cancer held on Oct. 25 was extremely well attended.
He reported LMC received a Vaccine Outreach and Education grant for $209 thousand that is used for COVID as well as other vaccines.
Bowen issued a monthly Press Gainey Survey report to each board member showing the various areas surveyed on the clinic.
Bowen reported an active shooter drill will be held on Dec. 5 and 6. He said there will be six to seven sessions and all employees will attend one of them.
Regarding physician recruitment, Bowen said there is one gastroenterologist who will start seeing patients on Jan. 8.
In regards to two other gastroenterologists, he will have them on standby. He said all three will be credentialed.
Bowen reported the financial report saying the gross district revenue was up 18% and the total district revenue is up 20% year-to-date. He said the hospital, year-to-date, has a profit of $1.4 million.
In regards to clinic revenue, Bowen said it was up 2% from September and is running about the same year-to-date. He reported clinic profit is up 59% yearto-date.
Bowen said clinic visits were off 264 visits, but emergency room and surgeries were both up. Admissions in the hospital were up 17% and an average length of stay for patients was 4.4 days.
Board president James Fenner presided over the meeting with board members Rosanne Gallia, Gene Schott and Forrest Kroschel present for the meeting.