DCMH finances remain favorable

Feb. 2—GREENSBURG — Board members were sworn-in at Decatur County Memorial Hospital's board meeting Jan. 25. Members sworn-in were Dennis Fogle, Dr. Nicole Boersma, MD, and Dr. Larry Rueff, DVM. DCMH CEO Rex McKinney was appointed treasurer and CFO Catherine Keck was appointed co-treasurer.

Catherine Keck read the financial report. DCMH is 4.16% favorable to budget, but the hospital is encountering rising drug prices that could affect that. Keck also shared that signatures were needed for eight bank accounts currently used by DCMH. Board members Larry Rueff and Bryan Robbins plus McKinney and Keck, as CEO and CFO respectively, were approved to sign for these accounts. Finally, Keck requested approval to continue a credit line of $3 million at 7.2% interest with First Financial Bank for $600 annually. This was approved.

There were two capital asset purchase requests, both approved; one was $35,000 for an ENT device, the other is a microscope for the pathology department costing $2,400.

DCMH Board Chair Mollie Fry discussed conflict of interest statements. McKinney and Keck had already submitted theirs, though the board is still awaiting statements from other members.

McKinney presented the CEO's report. DCMH has performed better in 2023 than in 2022. McKinney praised the hospital staff, which is currently operating at a 17% turnover rate. The rehabilitation facility is proceeding; however, there have been delays caused by paperwork.

Nine appointments were made to the medical staff: Dr. Brant Sanders, MD, Emergency Medicine, TeamHealth; Dr. Stephen Abedon, MD, Telerad/Surgery, Summit Radiology; Dr. Robert Rutter, MD, Telerad/Surgery, Summit Radiology; Dr. Keith Doram, MD, Wound Care/Surgery, Outpatient Integrated Strategies LLC; John McKinney, PA, Physician Assistant/Medicine, Southern Indiana Orthopedics; Jill Kreimeyer, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Medicine, Senior Life Solutions; Carrie Butcher, NP, Nurse Practitioner/Medicine; Jeffery Ferguson, CRNA, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist/Surgery; Dr. Isaiah Steffen, MD, Family Practice with OB/C-section/Medicine.

There were two medical staff terminations: Dr. Michael McCarty, MD, Emergency Medicine/Medicine, Team Telehealth and Dr. Robert Kinn, MD, Cardiology/Medicine, St. Francis Cardiology. Dr. Kinn officially retired Jan. 1.

The next DCHM board meeting will be March 28, 2024.

Noelle Maxwell: news@greensburgdailynews.com.