LHD Board receives strategic planning report
The Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors heard from Lavaca Medical Center chief diagnostic service officer Keith Kutac, who presented the strategic planning committee’s report for 2025.
Kutac informed the board of the process the committee follows in bringing the report to the board. He said they began the process in July.
Using a power-point presentation, Kutac presented the hospital’s mission statement, vision statement and the iCare program, which stands for Integrity, Commitment, Accountability, Respect, Excellence.
Kutac presented the six strategic priorities and included each priority’s objectives, strategies for 2025 and actionable steps taken in 2024.
The six priorities include population health, partnerships and collaborations, the patient/employee experience, expansion services, information technology (IT) and safety and security.
The board approved the 2025 strategic planning report.
Administration/ Financial Report
Lavaca Medical Center administrator Steve Bowen, presented the administration and financial report for September.
Presenting a list of items Bowen reported on, he said the hospital had its annual mammography survey recently and were found to have no deficiencies.
Regarding grants applied for by LMC, Bowen said they received a Rural Hospital Internal Care Operations grant for $35 thousand, which goes toward training and education for nursing staff involving OB situations that could arise in the emergency room.
Bowen said the hospital also received two Rural Nursing Retention grants with each being for $15 thousand each. He said the two grants would be applied to nurses who sign a contract to work at LMC for three years and after the three years would receive $15 thousand.
Bowen said they will hold a decontamination (DECON) training session for staff members on Thursday, Oct. 24. The training teaches people how to prepare for and respond to decontamination situations, such as those involving chemical warfare agents, toxic materials, and opioids.
Involving another training session, Bowen said LMC will hold an active shooter training session on Dec. 11 and 12.
Bowen said Dr. Kody Selzer and mid-level April Hall will serve as guest speakers at the upcoming Lunch and Learn event to be held at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
He said the hospital has arranged a speaker to present a program on the difference between Medicare and Medicare-Advantage and will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. in the Johnson Room at LMC.
In regards to other items, Bowen said Dr. Crystal Lopez, who is going through her residency at Texas Tech and will graduate next June. Bowen said she has asked for a contract with the possibility of her joining the LMC staff next year.
Bowen said he hopes to bring the construction drawing for upgrading the Physical Therapy/Wellness Center to next month’s board meeting for their approval.
Bowen said they have signed an agreement with Bryan Radiology for conducting readings in the radiology department.
In his financial report, with all figures based on year-todate numbers, Bowen said the gross district revenue was down one percent, while all other revenue was up 9%.
Bowen said hospital admissions were down 20%, but out-patient revenue was very good.
Involving the clinic, the total clinic revenue was up 6%, while total other revenue was up 32%.
“This was the slowest summer I’ve ever seen in 10 years,” Bowen said.
In other action taken by the board:
• Approved the quarterly public funds investment report.
• Passed on a resolution on the 2024 tax roll and levy until the next meeting.
Board president James Fenner presided over the meeting with board members Rosanne Gallia, Doug Kubicek, Carl Hobbs, Forrest Kroschel and Ronnie Juenke attending the meeting.