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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 27, 2016)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 27, 2016 A View from the Hill By Doris Brosnan If anyone at the Wil- low Creek Terrace was the target of a trickster on April Fools’ Day, he or she isn’t admitting it, so one must as- sume that this month began with no one pulling jokes on others. April is another month that offers several inter- esting topics for morning discussions. To name a few: pillow ights, hockey, dandelions, laughter, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny. When National Sib- lings Day popped up on the calendar on the 10 th , participants enjoyed shar- ing stories about their sib- lings, experiences they had as siblings, and the pros and cons of being an only child. Reminiscing about their pets held mixed emo- tions on National Pet Day (11 th ). McDonald’s Day on the 15 th led to discussing the fast-food chain that started with two McDonald brothers’ single California establishment in 1937. (If only a McDonald’s was close enough so residents could hop on the bus and go for a burger!) The Boston Marathon on the 18 th was an interesting topic, partly because the weather and traffic man on Portland’s KGW TV participated this year. That discussion was shared with tidbits about Animal Crackers because they have their own special day on the calendar, also. (For over a century a USA product—since their import from English origins in the 19 th century, they have fea- tured 54 different animals.) Yesterday, the 26 th , was designated National Bird Day, which holds interest for some residents, but dis- cussion of the area’s birds did not cause a cheek to blush as did another topic yesterday: also designated Your-First-Kiss Day. Those two topics shared the day with Write-an-Old-Friend Day, so some residents may have decided to do just that. National Arbor Day is assigned April 29, an op- portunity to take stock of the increasing number of trees at the Terrace. Adding to that number are the tree starts that sisters Arlynda Gates and Arletta Arnspiger have given the Community on the Hill. Adding to the green of the deciduous trees is the faint color in the beds of plants recently started from seed and the colors in the flower pots about the Terrace. Soon, residents and staff will be able to be “sidewalk-su- perintendents,” of another “green” project, when the landscaping of their adjoin- ing lot begins to take shape. Residents and staff ap- preciated Library Week, the 10 th through the 16 th , but the morning discussion included sadness because they will be someday be saying “goodbye” to Ed Struthers, when he moves from Heppner. Ed continues to periodically bring a rotat- ing supply of books from the local library, something he has done for years, cater- ing to the variety of reading interests he knows so well. The loss of this consider- ate gentleman will open an opportunity for another volunteer. Ed has created a system that works well, and he would surely be willing to share his plan with some- one willing to carry on this valuable service. Another service will be highlighted when April ends on another specially designated day, Hairstylist Appreciation Day. On two days weekly, stylists come to the Terrace to serve their clients in the one-chair shop, offering their full line of products and stylist services. The 30 th will be another opportunity to let these hair stylists know how much they are appreciated. Residents and staff on the Hill appreciate moving- in days, when a new neigh- bor joins the Community, so they are hoping to not wait long before seeing a new face in the now-available apartment. Anyone inter- ested in information about Willow Creek Terrace as a possible new home should call 541-676-0004. Anyone interested is also welcome to come for a view. HEALTH DISTRICT -Continued from PAGE ONE $12,450,068. Proposed re- nounced that the district care on those days, losing placement for the adminis- provider) administrator to munity service fees it re- ceives to establish a capital improvement fund. Mahoney also noted that most of the improve- ments made have previ- ously been on board priority lists and then knocked off the lists when more press- ing expenditures came on board. The discussion and subsequent vote came in the absence of board chair John Murray, who had earlier notiied the board that he would be out of the country visiting family during this meeting. Mahoney pointed out that the inancial informa- tion Palmquist was seeking was already available in the multiple inancial reports the district generates and said she would be happy to include the additional infor- mation in future reports to the board. She noted that she acted at the direction of the board with regard to district poli- cies and presentation of inancial reports. She added that the monies for the proposed capital purchases will still be in the same bank account as the other district funds, but will just be a line item on the budget. Mahoney told the board that in preparing the budget she had budgeted the re- sources conservatively but added, “I try not to be as conservative on the expense side.” The proposed 2016-17 MCHD budget estimates to- tal resources of $12,600,031 and total expenditures of sources are listed as fol- lows: Hospital-$6,691,723; Home Health and Hos- pice-$588,691; Boardman Ambulance-$340,109; Ir- rigon Ambulance $285,746; Ione Ambulance-$16,812; Heppner Clinic-$1,222,445; Irrigon Clinic-$758,380; Ione Clinic $99,728; Other Revenue-$254,160; Dona- tions and Grants-$95,000; Interest income-$16,650; Community Service Fees-$60,000; Electronic Health Record Reimburse- ments-$188,641; Capi- tal leases-$0; Operating, Capital, Long & Short Term Loans-$197,394; Total Resources Except Taxes-$10,815,479; Prop- erty Taxes (including Lo- cal Option Levy if appli- cable)-$1,784,552; Total Resources-$12,600,031. Expenditures are listed as follows: Hos- pital-$7,042,655; Home Health and Hos- pice-$770,053; Boardman Ambulance-$334,964; Irri- gon Ambulance-$197,575; Ione Ambulance & Lex- ington EMS-$17,652; Hep- pner Clinic-$1,346,447; Irrigon Clinic-$668,391; Ione Community Clin- ic-$115,301; Community Benefit Grants-$50,000; Revenue Deductions & Bad Debt-$1,092,369; Capi- tal Purchases-$491,494; Capital Lease Principal Reduction-$0; Long & Short Term Debt Principal Reduction-$323,167; Total Expenditures-$12,450,068; Net Increase in Cash- $149,963. Also at the meeting CEO Bob Houser has an- has hired a nurse practi- tioner, Betty Hamill, FNP- D, effective June 1. The district has been seeking a physician or mid-level practitioner, such as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, since the depar- ture of Dr. Betsy Anderson and physician’s assistant Sheridan Tarnasky’s an- nouncement of her upcom- ing retirement. Tarnasky is a long-time employee of the district and her mother was at one time the hospital administrator. Houser said that a phy- sician’s assistant plans to job-shadow at the clinic at the end of the month, and two additional mid-level providers are planning on- site interviews. In other business, the board: -approved an increase from $30 an hour to $50 an hour for on-call wages for Dr. Kenneth Wenberg. Dr. Wenberg has been em- ployed for on-call emergen- cy services at Pioneer Me- morial Hospital on Mon- days and Fridays, which are busy clinic days at Pioneer Memorial Clinic. Dr. Russ Nichols told the board that Dr. Wen- berg’s assistance on those days is invaluable, com- menting that if Dr. Wenberg was not available, he would have to provide emergency clinic patients, who would have to be rescheduled. Concerning the raise in on-call rates, Dr. Nichols remarked that Dr. Wenberg could get higher wages elsewhere and would be likely do so if he did not receive an increase from MCHD. Dr. Wenberg’s wage while he is at the hos- pital to provide emergency care remains the same at $100 per hour. -awarded low bid of $16,000 to Wilson Con- struction Services, LLC, for installing siding and windows at Pioneer Memo- rial Clinic in Heppner. -awarded a bid of $36,556.92 to A Sharp Painter for painting the hospital building exterior and upper care facility, including a paint upgrade option. -learned from Houser that a Subaru Forester has been purchased for Home Health and Hospice and is already in use. -awarded a bid to Healthland for software and services $16,317.40 with an annual maintenance fee of $1,790.36, pending a satisfactory review of their references. Board member Jill Parker noted that elec- tronic health records are mandated by the federal government. -heard that sewer re- trator’s house was expected to get underway April 25, to be coordinated with the heating/air conditioning work. -learned that loaner ambulances for Boardman and Heppner were expected to arrive the week of April 25. Those that delivered the loaners will drive the old ambulances back to Iowa, then the new ambulances will be driven to Morrow County and the loaners driven back. Houser said that the new ambulances will be completed 120 days from the receipt of the old ambulances. -heard a report from Houser as follows: he at- tended the Boardman and Irrigon Chamber of Com- merce meetings this month; he plans to meet with the director of the Board- man Parks and Recreation about the possibility of adding some services for Boardman’s new therapy pool with Rocky Moun- tain Physical Therapy; he plans to meet with Morrow County School District Su- perintendent Dirk Dirksen concerning the “Wellness Hub” that some counties are beginning to use in their school systems; and plans to set up a meeting with the Columbia River Medical Clinic (Boardman health Heppner FBLA makes strong showing at state competition Wedding Tables Derek Gunderson & Meghan McCabe May, 21, 2016 Emma Osmin & Jordan Wright May 7, 2016 Rick Worden & Kelsie Fox May 28, 2016 Lane Bailey & Jessica Hughes June 25, 2016 The Heppner High School FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) club went to the state FBLA competition April 7-9 in Portland. Fourteen students went and competed, and some brought home hardware. In Agribusiness, Kevin Murray placed 10 th , Ryan Smith placed sixth, and Patrick Collins placed fourth. Keegan Gibbs also came in fourth in Parliamentary Proce- dure, and Jaiden Mahoney inished seventh in Finance. Back (L-R): Riane Dompier, Jessica Kempken, Kevin Murray, CJ Kindle, Patrick Collins. Middle (L-R): Mrs. Jeannie Collins, Cara Arbogast, Madison Combe, Jaiden Mahoney, Sophie Grant, Claire Grieb, Sydney Maben. Kneeling (L-R): Ryan Smith, Logan Grieb, Weston Putman. -Contributed photo Tessa Gould & Kyle Ludwick June 26, 2016 • E XPERIENCED • B ALANCED • F AMILY & C OMMUNITY 217 North Main St., Heppner • Phone 676-9158 • Floral 676-9426 Serving Morrow, Wheeler & Gilliam counties Since 1959 LIKE US Paid For By The Committee To Elect Jon Lieuallen Judge discuss how to work to- gether to beneit the people of Morrow County. -learned that the respi- ratory therapist who had planned to come in April had a conlict and is plan- ning to come in May. The position has been posted in house, on job posting sites and in the newspaper. -learned that interviews for receptionist positions at Pioneer Memorial Hospi- tal and Pioneer Memorial Clinic are scheduled to be- gin this month. -received the following proit and loss statement for March: the district received $77,846 in gross patient revenue, less $7,200 for bad debts, and $61,347 for contractual and other ad- justments, plus $160,269 in tax revenue and $27,558 in other operating revenue for $897,125 in total operating revenue; $876,390 in total operating expenses and $13,402 for a non-operating gain for a $34,137 gain for the month, an average $24,314 average monthly year-to-date gain. -received the following report: Pioneer Memorial Hospital had five admis- sions for March, four swing bed admissions, nine admit- ted for observation, one ad- mitted for hospital respite, 499 total outpatients, 70 emergency room encoun- ters, 1,718 lab tests, 120 x-ray procedures, 29 CT scans, 31 EKG tests, ive lower endoscopy proce- dures, one upper endoscopy procedure, 18 respiratory therapy procedures; Hep- pner Ambulance had 39 total page-outs with 32 transports for $64,232 in revenue; Boardman Ambu- lance had 39 page-outs with 21 transports for $31,983 in revenue; Irrigon Ambu- lance had 17 page-outs with 12 transports for $17,036 in revenue; Ione Ambulance had one page-out with no transports; Home Health had 45 nursing visits; Hos- pice had two admissions; Pharmacy had 929 drug doses for $85,587 in drug revenue; Pioneer Memorial Clinic had 367 patient visits with three new patients, 29 seen by a nurse and 18 no-shows; Irrigon Medi- cal Clinic had 330 patient visits with 32 new patients, 80 seen by a nurse and 30 no-shows; Ione Community Clinic had 49 patient visits, with 14 new patients, 13 seen by a nurse and zero no-shows. -viewed the following board meeting calendar with remaining dates listed: No meeting in May due to Memorial Day holiday; June 13, 7 p.m., Irrigon Medical Clinic; July 25, 7 p.m., Ione Community Church; August 29, 6 p.m., Hospice meeting room, Heppner; September 26, 7 p.m., Sand Hollow Room, Boardman, October 31, 7 p.m., Lexington Town Hall, November 28, 6 p.m., Hos- pice meeting room.
