Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 6, 2024 -- SEVEN
Health district audit report results
ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE:
-Continued from PAGE ONE overall, I would say that public comment from the between Pioneer Memorial
pulled some numbers from
other critical access hospi-
tals in the state of Oregon
and throughout the Pacific
Northwest in order to make
a comparison. The results
were mixed.
The health district’s op-
erating margin was down a
whopping 44.38 percent in
2024, compared to slightly
positive trends of 4.63 per-
cent for Oregon and 1.23
percent for the Northwest.
The previous two years
also showed negative op-
erating margin compared to
slightly positive margins for
Oregon and the rest of the
Northwest.
The district’s total mar-
gin for 2024 was also low-
er than compared critical
access hospitals, an 8.61
percent drop compared to a
3.51 average rise for other
Oregon hospitals. MCHD
broke even in 2023 and
saw a positive 5.28 percent
margin in 2022.
After all that, however,
Volk said the district’s cur-
rent assets still outweigh its
liabilities. In fact, he said
that a poll of the healthcare
industry showed the in-
dustry as a whole is more
optimistic than might be
expected.
“Even though we had
a tough inflationary period,
most who responded were
pretty optimistic,” he said.
In fact, most rural hos-
pitals seem to be planning
capital investments to align
their facilities with chang-
ing healthcare needs.
It wasn’t all good news
for the health district that
night, though. Close to
a dozen members of the
public were present at the
meeting. Most, if not all,
were anxious to speak their
mind to the board.
There was no space
for public comment on the
night’s agenda. When the
board moved directly into
the audit report, Marge
Kenny of Heppner spoke up
and told the board members
that the treatment was rude.
“There’s been more
problems up here at this
hospital in the last few
years. We have a few peo-
ple here who would like
to speak. If you’re not
even going to give them
the chance to speak, why,
there’s problems,” said
Kenny.
“Maybe it’s not on the
agenda, but can’t you make
an exception when you see
people here who want to
say what they have to say?”
MCHD Board Chair
Diane Kilkenny addressed
the concern by saying the
board had started removing
agenda when they received
an audit report because the
presentation is so long. She
also said the public should
have known that.
“This agenda, and this
packet, was published last
week, and all of this was
on there,” said Kilkenny.
She invited participants to
either submit comments
in writing or return for the
next MCHD board meeting.
“And we do appreciate all
of you being here, but I
would say this is not new.
We did this last year, too.”
“Well, this is this year,”
Kenny replied.
In other business, the
board:
-Renewed a physician
associate employment
agreement with Jon Wat-
son, PA-C. Watson has been
with the health district since
2018 and works primarily
in Irrigon Medical Clinic.
The renewal is for three
years.
- Renewed a licensed
clinical social worker
employment agreement
with Rebecca Humphreys,
LCSW. Humphreys has
been with the health dis-
trict for three years and is
renewing for another three
years. She divides her time
Clinic and MCHD Home
Health and Hospice.
-Passed a resolution
naming Diane Kilkenny,
Emily Roberts and Nicole
Mahoney as authorized
signers on MCHD bank
accounts and removing all
previous authorizations.
-Agreed to a request
from South Morrow Coun-
ty Seniors Matter for as-
sistance in obtaining an
Automated External De-
fibrillator (AED) for the
Heppner senior center.
CEO Emily Roberts noted
that the assistance will
include a LifeVac choking
rescue device.
MCHD board meet-
ings are held the last
Monday of each month.
Agendas for upcoming
meetings can be found
online at www.morrow-
countyhealthdistrict.org/
board-of-directors.
ALL NEWS AND
ADVERTISEMENT
DEADLINE:
MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
Broker
Chris Sykes
541-215-2274
605 Pioneer Dr. Heppner
177 N. Main
P.O. Box 337
Heppner, OR 97836
Chris@sykesrealestate.net
Broker
Chris Sykes
541-215-2274
For Sale
$220,000
This cozy 1950s home, located in a peaceful
community, offers a blend of classic charm
and modern comforts. The 3-bed, 2-bath
property features a finished basement with two
bedrooms and a bonus room, perfect for extra
space or an office. The well-maintained yard,
complete with mature fruit trees, provides a
relaxing outdoor space. Essential appliances,
including a fridge, range, washer, and dryer,
are included, making it move-in ready. Sold
as-is or with conventional financing, this
charming home is ready for you to make it
your own! 285 W ARCADE ST
Lexington MLS# 24676541
*#$89)*%& $./ &:#*;)*%
!"#$%&'(')*+
177 N Main St.
Heppner, Or 97836
O: 541-676-9228
E:sykeschris@hotmail.com
MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
!"#!$%
!""#$%&"'#()*#!+()"#,-'
!"#$%&'()*+'(#,-*
./0'"1#(&
!"#! 2%$13%(4
!"#$%&'()*!+()
!"#$%&$'()*$+,-..,$
Heppner
,-./0&12134/5-
Ag/Commercial Loan Officer
(12345676
')!6$&*!7+68!
!/#$'()*$+,-..,$
Price Reduction
$349,000
Discover this stunning 1,700 sq. ft. ranch-style
home with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, perfect for
families. Recently updated (2019-2024), it features
a bright, open floor plan, paint, water heater, kitchen
flooring, countertops, and appliances. Energy-
efficient with a new heat pump, AC, insulation, and
wood stove. Enjoy refinished wood floors, updated
electrical system, Trex deck, and repaved driveway,
newer roof. The private lot offers beautiful views
and is close to the hospital and elementary school.
Contact us for more details! MLS#: 24589246
605 Pioneer Dr Heppner
Ione
,-./0&.5532.11
Ag/Commercial Loan Officer
!"#$%&'&()*%"$#!&#$+&,-%.$)%%&,#$/.$0
An Independent Community Bankers Assoc.
TOP-PERFORMING
!"#$%&'(&#!')'*+,*#)-.)/0/1
$300M-$1B in assets
Morrow County Veteran’s Services would like to thank all Veteran’s for their service to our country.
It is a great honor to offer our help in return. Please visit us at 215 NE Main
Avenue in Irrigon. Contact us at 541-922-6420 or mcvets@co.morrow.or.us
MEMBER
FDIC