News
August 4, 2010
For Immediate Release:
Advisory Vote indicates support for McCall Memorial Hospital
Joining St. Luke’s Health System
Results from Tuesday’s Hospital District advisory vote indicate residents support
McCall Memorial Hospital joining St. Luke’s Health System. 86% of the 602 votes cast
in the election support joining St. Luke’s. “We are very pleased with this response from voters,” said Dan Krahn, Chairman, McCall Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. “Hospital leaders and trustees focused significant effort over the past year to educate residents on this issue and the value St. Luke’s working in partnership with our local hospital could bring to our community.”
The next step in the process will occur at the Hospital’s Board of Trustee’s meeting on September 2. During this meeting trustees will review input received from the
community including data from surveys and results from the election. Trustees will decide whether to proceed with joining the two organizations. Their decision will be presented to St. Luke’s Health System Board of Trustees at their meeting on
September 28. Following acceptance from both boards, a definitive agreement
outlining the details of the relationship will be signed. “We anticipate a smooth transition which will ultimately provide better care for patients and a more sustainable financial future for our hospital” said Lee Rhodes, CEO of McCall Memorial Hospital.
The formal transition to St. Luke’s McCall, the new not for profit organization which would control hospital assets, finances, and programs, could occur as early as
October 1, 2010. St. Luke’s McCall would be governed by a local board of directors composed of area residents with one member being appointed by St. Luke’s Health System. This governance structure allows local decision making for the hospital to remain in place.
“We believe joining St. Luke’s is best for our patients, the community, and our staff.
We are pleased the community supports joining St. Luke’s and recognizes this is a proactive step in enhancing the future of healthcare in our community,” added Krahn.
“We are so pleased with the community’s response to St. Luke’s and McCall Memorial Hospital working more closely together,” said David C. Pate, MD, JD, President and
CEO of St. Luke’s Health System. “McCall Memorial Hospital is a wonderful hospital comprised of dedicated employees and volunteers who care deeply about their community and the people they serve. Together we will work to transform health
care and thrive in the new health care reform environment as we work to attain the highest possible quality at the lowest cost with outstanding patient satisfaction and service. We are so happy to now be part of the same family.”
# # #
For more information:
Jenny Ruemmele
634-4061 ext 131
Total Votes - 602
Yes - 515 (86%)
No - 87 (14%)
Auxiliary Community Grant Applications Available
Non-profit organizations who provide health services in the McCall Memorial Hospital service area (Cascade, Council, Donnelly, McCall, New Meadows, and Riggins) are
invited to apply to the Hospital Auxiliary Community Grants to assist with their projects. The applications are due September 24.
Interested organizations may pick up applications at the Development Office in the hospital or at the Thrift Shop on Lenora Street in McCall. Applications can also be downloaded here.
These community grant funds are generated by sales from the Thrift Shop. “Volunteers at the Thrift Shop receive donations, sort, wash, price, stock, and help customers,”
said Kathy Villeneuve, the Thrift Shop Director. “It’s a lot of fun, and a lot of work.
When the grants are awarded, and we think about the good they produce, then all
that work becomes worthwhile to us.”
Grant recipients will be decided in November 2010, with funds being awarded in
January 2011.
For additional information, contact Lyle Nelson, 634-4061, ext. 292, or Roberta Fields, Grant Committee Chair, at 347-2402.
Hospital Garners National Award for Patient Satisfaction
McCall Memorial Hospital received Avatar International’s national award for exceeding patient expectations during 2009.
Avatar International is a survey company that anonymously survey’s patients following their use of hospital services.
The National Exceeding Patients Award is presented to those medical facilities that exceed patients satisfaction ratings in three critical areas:
1) quality of care
2) reliability
3) individualization and preparation before the visit.
“We are especially proud of our exceptionally high patients’ ratings for emergency medicine and maternity services,” said hospital spokesperson Lyle Nelson. “Everybody
in the hospital works hard to provide a positive patient experience. It’s motivating to know our work is both appreciated and exceeds national standards for quality of care.”
During 2009, every department in the hospital providing patient services exceeded national standards for Critical Access Hospitals. The ratings are compiled through a survey mailed to a sample of patients.
Payette Lakes Medical Clinic to Join St. Luke’s Physician Services
Transition will mean more time for doctors to focus on caring for patients.
McCall, ID (November 20, 2009) The physicians of Payette Lakes Medical Clinic (PLMC) in McCall announced today they have reached an agreement with St Luke’s Health System in Boise to become a St. Luke’s Clinic, joining more than 300 other physicians currently providing primary and specialty care throughout the region in partnership with St. Luke’s. The date for this transition is January 1, 2010.
“We will continue being the same physicians providing the same quality care for our patients,” said Dr. Terri Mucha, the Medical Director of PLMC. “The foremost consideration in this change of ownership was how we can improve patient access while ensuring an efficient work environment for physicians.”
“The most notable change will be in the internal business administration of the clinic,” said Mucha. “St. Luke’s has demonstrated to us that they have excellent models for managing physician clinics. This change will enable physicians to concentrate more on patient care and less on business issues.”
PLMC will continue accepting the insurance providers it currently accepts and the fee for services will not increase as a result of the transition.
“We are pleased to partner with PLMC,” said John Kee, St. Luke’s Vice President of Physician Services. “It is a clinic distinguished by its devotion to the community, the quality of the care provided there, and its excellent physicians.”
The nine Family Medicine physicians working at PLMC will continue staffing the Emergency Department at the McCall Memorial Hospital. Meadows Valley Medical Clinic and Salmon River Medical Clinic will also transition to St. Luke’s physician clinics; however, the daily medical care will remain the same.
“The physicians of PLMC are proud of our long service to McCall and adjacent communities, and we look forward to our future with St. Luke’s,” said Dr. Jim Dardis, a family practice physician at PLMC. “This agreement represents a culmination of 6 years of discussion with St. Luke’s and will result in greater access for patients at the clinic and stronger financial stability for our clinic in the future. Our patients can continue to expect the same care they always have received, that has been and will continue to be our commitment to them.”
November 2009 -
Grant Funds Available for Breast Care Services
McCall Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that a $25,000 grant has been received from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Boise Affiliate for the ninth consecutive year
Funds are available to pay for screening mammograms for women 40 years old and older, including any indicated diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds that result from screenings. The funds are targeted for individuals who demonstrate financial need by having no health insurance, a high unmet deductible, or insurance that does not cover mammography.
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in the United States and second to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Only 10% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a positive family history.
“For women over forty, a mammogram and clinical exam are recommended every year,” said Brooke Duncan, a Breast Care Registered Nurse at the hospital. “Women who are symptomatic at any age should make an appointment with their personal physician. Screenings and early diagnosis are vital steps in treating breast cancer.”
The hospital’s Breast Care Clinic provides mammograms by Registered Technicians and examinations by Registered Nurses specializing in breast care health.
The mission of the Susan G. Komen Foundation is to eradicate breast cancer through research, education, screenings, and treatment. The Foundation’s goal is to help all women understand the value of regular screening mammograms, and to prevent avoidance of regular screening or diagnostic procedures due to financial concerns.
To make an appointment at the Breast Care Clinic or to inquire about grant support, call 634-4061, ext. 146.
January 2010 -
Auxiliary gives $175,000 in grants
McCall Memorial Hospital Auxiliary gave twelve local health-minded organizations $175,033 in grants on January 11 at their general membership meeting.
“The foresight and hard work of past and present Auxiliary members makes it possible to give out this sum of money today,” said Roberta Fields who chairs the Auxiliary’s Grant Committee.
“We believe these grants provide a safety net for many individuals who otherwise would not receive essential health care services and products.”
Three organizations received $20,000 each. They are the Community Care Clinic which provides free medical care for those without financial means, the Community Children’s Medical Fund which helps family’s with children in need of medical care, and the Community Medical Fund which helps adults with dental, psychiatric, and medical care.
“Outside of the hospital, these three organizations are our priority” said Fields, “their contribution to the quality of life in all our nearby communities is absolutely incredible.”
The hospital received $84, 786 to purchase capital medical equipment for the laboratory, pharmacy, cardiopulmonary department, and newborn infant care. This amount is 50% of the revenues generated by the Thrift Shop.
Another $30,247 was divided among the Canyon Area Bus Service centered in Riggins, The City of McCall for Automated External Defibrillators, Donnelly Fire and EMS, the Heartland Hunger Resource Center, the McCall-Donnelly School District, McCall Senior Citizens, Payette Lakes Community Association, and St. Luke’s Hospice and Home Care of McCall.
All local non-profit organizations with a health-related mission are eligible to apply for the grants. Applications are due by September 30 with funds awarded in January.