LHD board to seek renovation/expansion bids
The Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors met in its regular meeting Monday evening and approved presentations for expansion and renovations, and to seek bids for the Physical Therapy/Wellness Center as well as various other areas in Lavaca Medical Center.
Polkinghorn Group Architects, Inc. representatives Lindsey Works and Audrey Wernecke, who appeared via Zoom, displayed a powerpoint presentation regarding the architectural drawings and prospective appearance of the various areas.
Warnecke displayed an image for the PT/Wellness Center that would include renovating the check-in for Physical Therapy as well as expanding the PT area using the current gym to provide more physical therapy treatments and general gym space for PT.
In regards to the expanding of a new gym for the Center, Warnecke said they would provide new locker rooms and a change in the entrance for patrons using the gym area.
Warnecke also displayed what types of materials the project would include to match the current buildings at LMC.
Regarding the other areas that would be addressed in the projects, Warnecke showed architectural drawings for renovating patient rooms in the hospital to make them larger and to meet ADA standards.
Warnecke’s display also showed changes for the pharmacy storage room as well as renovating the current public restrooms at the entrance of the PT/Wellness Center to have multi-stall bathrooms for men, and women. She presented two options to this plan.
Following Warnecke’s display, the board voted to accept the various architect presentations, including voting 6-1 to accept option one of the bathroom plans. Board member Rosanne Galia voted against option one. The board voted to advertise for bids for the renovation and expansion to the PT/Wellness Center, the patient room renovations, pharmacy storage room and public restroom renovations.
Medical Staff Applications
Lavaca Medical Center chief of staff, Dr. Morgan Heck presented a list of medical staff applications. The list included two doctors for advancement from provisional consulting staff. Eleven physicians applied for provisional consulting staff and one applicant for allied health personnel. Heck said the majority of the applicants are in regards to diagnostic radiology.
The board approved the medical staff applications.
LMC Auxiliary Annual Report
Lavaca Medical Center Auxiliary president Robert Bordovsky presented the annual Auxiliary report saying they had a good year.
Bordovsky provided the checkbook balance prepared by LMC Auxiliary treasurer Catherine Lyssy and said they gave the hospital $6,067.18 in donation to purchase medical equipment. He said they held two bake sales that did very well and the gift shop is the auxiliary’s biggest source of income.
Administrative/Financial Report
Lavaca Medical Center administrator Steve Bowen presented the administrative report addressing a list of various areas.
Bowen reported that in November they had a lab inspection that turned out to be phenomenal with only a couple of minor deficiencies.
He said in December they had an active-shooter program with the employees invited to attend.
Bowen said the scores in the Press Gainey survey in December were high and outstanding.
Bowen reported they recently had a fire safety inspection and had no deficiencies.
Due to receiving a $365 thousand grant from the Dickson-Allen Foundation and coupled with a $200 thousand Johnson Foundation grant received last year, Bowen reported they are able to purchase mammography equipment for LMC. He said the new unit is expected to be delivered in March.
In regards to a $35 thousand State of Texas grant, they will purchase some maternity equipment for the emergency room.
Bowen told the board, “We are not going into the baby delivering business, this is for the emergency room.”
Bowen informed the board that at the end of the year all full-time employees received a 3% cost-of-living adjustment. Part-time employees had to log a certain number of hours.
Bowen announced that Dr. Morgan Heck is now the LMC chief of staff with Dr. Kody Selzer, the vicechair and Dr. Maurice Wilkinson serving as the secretary.
In regards to physician recruitment, Bowen reported that Dr. Crystal Lopez was planning to come to LMC, but now has changed her mind and will be working in Houston. Bowen said they are talking to a doctor from Brady to possibly fill a position. Regarding gastroenterology, Bowen said he is in the process of recruiting three GI doctors.
In his financial report, Bowen said the gross district revenue in November was up 17% over this time in 2023 and the total district revenue was up 3% year-todate. The clinic for November was up 10% over this time last year.
The December financial report showed the gross district revenue was up 2% over the previous year and other revenue was down 3% year-to-date, and the total district revenue for December was up 1% over 2023. Bowen said in December, the clinic revenue was up 12% year-to-date.
In other action taken by the board:
Approved the public funds investment report.
Board president James Fenner presided over the meeting with board members Rosanne Gallia, Gene Schott, Forrest Kroschel, Carl Hobbs, Doug Kubicek present. Board member Ronnie Juenke took part in the meeting via Zoom broadcasting.