Client News: Patrick Christiansen named COO of Inova Fairfax Hospital

Christiansen named COO of Inova Fairfax by Jennifer Lubell
Source: Posted August 30, 2010 - 11:00 am ET - http://www.modernhealthcare.com/

Patrick Christiansen, senior vice president of not-for-profit Inova Health System, Falls Church, Va., has been named COO of Inova Fairfax Hospital Campus. As COO, Christiansen will be responsible for operational procedures, participating in a collaborative team responsible for strategic decisions for the hospital and Inova Health System. He began his new duties Aug. 18, according to a statement from Inova.

Christiansen joined Inova Fairfax in 2007 as administrator of Inova Heart and Vascular Institute. Two years later he was named senior vice president with Inova Health System, taking on responsibility for additional service lines within Inova.

“Patrick has a proven track record of achievement and has become an innovative team leader,” L. Reuven Pasternak, CEO of Inova Fairfax Hospital Campus, said in a written statement. “I am confident in his excellent leadership qualities and look forward to working with him as we continue to expand and strengthen our programs to meet the needs of the community.”

Before joining to Inova, Christiansen served as vice president of operations at St. John’s Mercy Health Care in Creve Coeur, Mo., and served as vice president at St. Edwards Mercy Health Network in Fort Smith, Ark.

Rod Huebbers preceded Christiansen as COO. He recently left for an opportunity with Vanguard Health in San Antonio.

Inova declined to provide Christiansen's age

Copyright Crain Communications, Inc. - All rights reserved.

Client Visit - Baptist St. Anthony's Health System

Baptist St. Anthony's (BSA) Health System, a 450-bed hospital, is located in Amarillo, Texas. BSA has been an RMS and ORMS client since 2004. BSA uses ORMS and perioperative charting for the main campus and a remote ASC, which includes 24 O.R. suites in total. Cindy Borders and Peggy Pittenger recently met with the Vice President of Patient Care and surgery department managers to review RMS/ORMS 6.25 features as well as areas where process improvements have already been beneficial with the system. Specifically, they focused on general reporting alternatives, applications of block-time management alternatives, reduction in delays, and the use of historical data trends. Based upon the analysis, it appeared that benefits have been realized in accomplishing smoother preadmission workflow, improvements in daily staffing, reduction of overtime labor, and a reallocation of block time. Over a longer term, a path toward a paperless environment will be realized.

With regard to reporting alternatives, BSA is using a combination of Unibased alternatives including standard reports, standard reports combined with Microsoft Excel, EasyQ, and Crystal Reports. The Director of Surgery seemed to appreciate the on-demand aspects of Block Utilization Reports in order to review with surgeons in order to justify adjustments.

The integrated RMS/ORMS aspects were beneficial in several ways, including preadmission testing, and the Wound Care Department Director will begin using the RMS to schedule recurring appointments. Some interest was expressed in the Unibased new offering for bone and tissue tracking, and Unibased is planning improvements in the case progress display in the near term, as suggested by TMF.

Baptist St. Anthony's (BSA) Health System, a 450-bed hospital, is located in Amarillo, Texas. BSA has been an RMS and ORMS client since 2004. BSA uses ORMS and perioperative charting for the main campus and a remote ASC, which includes 24 O.R. suites in total. Cindy Borders and Peggy Pittenger recently met with the Vice President of Patient Care and surgery department managers to review RMS/ORMS 6.25 features as well as areas where process improvements have already been beneficial with the system. Specifically, they focused on general reporting alternatives, applications of block-time management alternatives, reduction in delays, and the use of historical data trends. Based upon the analysis, it appeared that benefits have been realized in accomplishing smoother preadmission workflow, improvements in daily staffing, reduction of overtime labor, and a reallocation of block time. Over a longer term, a path toward a paperless environment will be realized.

With regard to reporting alternatives, BSA is using a combination of Unibased alternatives including standard reports, standard reports combined with Microsoft Excel, EasyQ, and Crystal Reports. The Director of Surgery seemed to appreciate the on-demand aspects of Block Utilization Reports in order to review with surgeons in order to justify adjustments.

The integrated RMS/ORMS aspects were beneficial in several ways, including preadmission testing, and the Wound Care Department Director will begin using the RMS to schedule recurring appointments. Some interest was expressed in the Unibased new offering for bone and tissue tracking, and Unibased is planning improvements in the case progress display in the near term, as suggested by TMF.

To learn more about Baptist St. Anthony's Health System, go to: http://www.bsahs.org/

________________________________________________

The phone extension of each Unibased employee mentioned in this article is listed below for ease in reaching our team. Toll-free number is 800-489-6069.

Cynthia J. Borders
Vice President, Client Services - Ext. 140

Peggy Pittenger, RN, BSN, CRCST
Installation Consultant/Customer Support - Ext. 147

Client News: Peek Takes Reins at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney

Pictured on left: Scott Peek

Source: Baylor Health Care System Press Release

Scott Peek, chief operating officer at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, has been named president of Baylor Medical Center at McKinney. The facility, which is currently under construction, will open in July 2012. Peek will serve double-duty, continuing his role as COO for BRMCG while also assuming the BMCM mantle until July 2011, at which point he’ll dedicate 100 percent of his time to the new role.

The new $213 million, 332,000-square-foot BMCM is being developed to meet the needs of the growing population in McKinney, and will be Baylor’s fourth hospital in Collin County. According to recent census figures, Collin County is now growing faster than both Denton and Dallas counties.

“I cannot think of a better person for this new role,” says Michael Taylor, Baylor Health Care System senior vice president. “Scott’s energy, experience and commitment to excellence make him the perfect leader for this important addition to the System.”

Peek has been with Baylor Health Care System since 2001, serving in roles of increasing responsibility as president of Baylor Specialty Hospital and Our Children’s House at Baylor, prior to becoming COO of BRMCG in 2008. In 2009, he was chosen as “Young Healthcare Executive of the Year” by the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC). The annual award honors young professionals who display key characteristics and abilities of future health care leaders.

“Baylor has served North Texas for over 100 years with a steadfast commitment to serving patients through our Christian ministry of healing. It is an honor and blessing to be able to work with the System leaders in bringing high quality care to the residents of McKinney and surrounding communities,” said Peek. “I’m looking forward to assuming my responsibilities and am grateful for this opportunity.”

To continue reading this article, click here.

Message from the CEO

Notes You May Find Interesting on Unibased History
By L.V. “Skip” Covington, President and CEO

Unibased is running out of office space and file cabinets again, which is a good time to review materials before pitching. During housekeeping chores, I found an item that most of you will not be able to relate, and it illustrates how far we have come in the last 20 years. In 1990, Unibased was a pioneer in client/server-based systems and distributed processing, related to real-time clinical information systems. In that timeframe, UNIX was the only serious architecture available, which demanded Unix-based workstations…costing about $10,000 each.

If we used inexpensive workstations for our clinical order management/results reporting systems, i.e., PCs, we were limited to using low speed serial ports. If we could find an Intel-based workstation with an Ethernet port, it was almost as expensive as a UNIX workstation, and we may have been forced into using UNIX workstations entirely. UNIX, by the way, is the reason for “Uni” in Unibased. To make the client/server approach reasonable, we needed a $3,000 or less workstation, which left only PCs with serial ports. Therefore, we developed hardware that would connect to the high speed network and distribute information to 20 or so Intel-based workstations through their serial ports. The component was called a local area network (LAN) interface concentrator (LIC). LICs were installed until 1995, which is about the time we could buy a PC workstation with an Ethernet port for about $1,500. The marketing materials, which emphasized real time, high-speed performance for clinical caregiver orders and inter-facility referrals, indicated that Unibased networks performed at “lickety-split” speeds utilizing the Unibased LIC. Hundreds of LICs were sold in healthcare and other industries between 1990 and 1995.

Client News: Botsford Nursing Director Wins Award for Focusing on Quality Standards

Source: Botsford News Release

Farmington Hills, Mich. (August 25, 2010)- Alexa Simkow, R.N., surgical services nursing director at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills, has been selected as a recipient of a Botsford Hospital 2010 Safety Excellence Award. The award recognizes employees’ contributions to the hospital’s safety initiatives.

Using her knowledge of inspection standards, Simkow has helped many hospital units assure that their policies and procedures meet rigorous standards expected of hospitals. These standards focus on providing safe, well-documented patient care. Simkow has been instrumental in implementing a surgical checklist to prevent errors during surgery.

Simkow, says, “I chose to come to Botsford because quality is its number one priority. It’s apparent to me that we gain big results on quality measures because we value our patients and not because accrediting agencies tell us we must. I am lucky to be part of an organization that knows the importance of providing excellent care.”

Botsford Hospital is a multi-specialty community hospital with 330 licensed beds located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The hospital was founded in 1965 with a vision of providing excellence and quality in the delivery of health care. Botsford Hospital each year cares for more than 17,000 inpatients and almost 60,000 emergency patients with a team of 2,400 employees, 400 volunteers and more than 600 physicians. A not-for-profit hospital, Botsford provided almost $27 million in community benefit during its 2008 fiscal year. www.botsford.org, twitter.com/botsfordnews

Client News: BayCare Health System Names Tim Thompson Chief Information Officer

Source: BayCare Health System Press Release

BayCare Health System, the largest community-based health care system in the Tampa Bay area, today announced that Tim Thompson has been appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) effective Sept. 7, 2010. Thompson joins BayCare from the Methodist Hospital System in Houston, where he also served as CIO and Senior Vice President.

At BayCare Thompson will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic information services (IS) initiatives. He also will oversee BayCare’s clinical transformation to an electronic medical record (EMR) system.

“Tim offers an effective balance between IS operations and strategic thinking,” said Tommy Inzina, chief administrative officer at BayCare Health System. “His background and experience with large, complex multi-hospital systems that are similar to BayCare make him a natural fit for our organization.”

Prior to working at Methodist, Thompson was the CIO and Senior Vice President at both Adventist Health System in Orlando and Palmetto Health in Columbia, South Carolina. In addition he held senior management positions at The Cleveland Clinic, Dynamic Healthcare Technologies, Inc. and Proctor Healthcare Incorporated.

During his career, Thompson has implemented EMRs in more than 30 hospitals. While at Adventist, he successfully rolled-out EMRs in 27 hospitals in 10 states over the course of four years. Most recently at Methodist, Thompson launched a Health Information Exchange, which enables physicians and hospitals to access patient information and data from a centralized location.

“BayCare is well known in the health care industry, and I am excited to become a part of a leadership team that is looking to drive technology advancements for the benefit of its patients,” said Thompson. “The system’s commitment to technology can make a tremendous difference for patients, and improve quality and safety.”

Thompson earned his Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Illinois and is a member of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) and Healthcare Information and Management System Society (HIMSS).

Thompson and his wife are looking forward to relocating to the Tampa Bay area. They have two adult daughters who live in Orlando.

About BayCare Health System:

BayCare Health System is a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area. Composed of a network of 10 not-for-profit hospitals, outpatient facilities and services such as imaging, lab, behavioral health and home health care, BayCare provides expert medical care throughout a patient’s lifetime. With more than 195 access points conveniently located throughout Tampa Bay, BayCare connects patients to a complete range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for any health care need.

BayCare’s family of hospitals are: Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant, Morton Plant North Bay, St. Anthony’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph’s Children’s, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, St. Joseph’s Women’s, and South Florida Baptist. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org.

Client News: Catwalk for A Cure benefits the Shannon Cancer Empowerment and Resource Center

Source: Shannon Health Press Release

The 4th Annual Catwalk for a Cure on Sept. 25 will feature a fashion show, a gourmet dinner, silent auction and raffle items, and the always-popular Bras for the Cause competition. The event benefits the Shannon Cancer Empowerment and Resource Center.

Sponsored by Grigsby’s Boutique, Shannon Medical Center, Foster Communications and Legend Jewelers, the event begins at 6 p.m. in the McNease Convention Center, 500 Rio Concho Drive. Tickets cost $35 and can be purchased at Grigsby’s Boutique & Merle Norman Cosmetics in Stadium Park Shopping Center, 2019 Knickerbocker Road.

Proceeds will support Shannon’s newly expanded oncology department, which offers counseling services and other resources to help patients and their families through the treatment process.

The models in the fashion show are cancer survivors. The Bras for the Cause competition will feature decorated bras that in the past have featured seashells, flowers, metal and lights. All of the entries will be sold in the silent auction. To enter a bra, call (325) 949-0610; the entry fee is $25.

Other auction items include a weekend getaway in Ruidoso, N.M., a stay in Sealy Flats, John Hart luggage, and four prime seats to a Dallas Stars hockey game. A $3,500, 3-carat diamond and pink sapphire bracelet from Legend Jewelers and a $1,000 package from Elite Physique tanning salon will be raffled.

Dinner by Shannon chef Larry Lambert will feature healthy foods such as fresh vegetable and whole grain pasta scampi, curried chicken over brown rice, and dark chocolate pudding parfaits with berries. A cash bar will also be open.

Catwalk for a Cure will be followed on Sept. 27 by the Tee Off for Ta-Ta’s golf tournament at Bentwood Country Club, 2111 Club House Lane. The tournament also benefits Shannon’s cancer center. The entry fee is $100 per person. The shotgun start for the four-person scramble will be at 1:30 p.m. Registration and lunch by Chili’s and Texas Roadhouse will be at noon. Raffle tickets will be available for $25 each, or five for $100, for a pink golf cart. There will also be hole-in-one prizes and a “bet your bubbies” hole contest.

For more information, contact Dana Calhoun at (325) 949-0610 or dgm531@msn.com.

Client News: Inova Health System CIO, Geoff Brown, selected for Governor's VA Health Reform Advisory Council

Source: Office of the Governor Robert F. McDonnell

Pictured on left: Geoff Brown, SVP and CIO of Inova Health System.

Governor Bob McDonnell Announces Members of the Virginia Health Reform Initiative Advisory Council

Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the members of his Virginia Health Reform Initiative Advisory Council. This Council will provide recommendations to the Governor towards a comprehensive strategy for implementing health reform in Virginia. The Advisory Council will go beyond federal health reform and recommend other innovative healthcare solutions that meet the needs of Virginia's citizens and government. The Advisory Council's recommendations for addressing health care access, cost and delivery in Virginia may serve as a model for other states. The recommendations of the Council will help create an improved health system that is an economic driver for Virginia while allowing for more effective and efficient delivery of high quality health care at lower cost.

Speaking about the Council's composition, Governor McDonnell remarked, "Every Virginian needs access to affordable health care. The challenge is how to provide that access in an economically responsible manner. This group of leaders will help us plan for the future of healthcare in Virginia, and the growing costs that will have a significant impact on our budget and our taxpayers unless we act proactively and wisely today. The tremendous rate of growth in Medicaid spending in Virginia, which is only going to increase due to federal health care reform, is unsustainable. I look forward to their recommendations and work in the months ahead."

Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel remarked, "We have assembled a dynamic group of leaders from the legislature, health care delivery, health care policy, health insurance, and the business community that will help shape the future of healthcare in Virginia. I am grateful for their time, expertise, and commitment to the task of ensuring a safe, effective, and quality healthcare delivery system while reducing costs."

The Advisory Council will establish task forces in six key areas: Medicaid Reform, Insurance Market Reform, Delivery and Payment Reform, Capacity, Technology, and Purchasers Perspective. In June, Governor McDonnell appointed Cindi Jones as the Director of the Virginia Health Reform Initiative; Jones is one of the nation's first state officials dedicated to health care reform. Additional healthcare stakeholders and business representatives will be asked to serve on these critical task forces. The Advisory Council will hold its initial meeting on August 20 and August 21, 2010 in Roanoke, Virginia.

Members of the Virginia Health Reform Initiative Council

Chair: Dr. Bill Hazel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources

Council Members:

Cindi B. Jones, Director, Virginia Health Reform Initiative (ex-officio)
W. Scott Burnette, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Community Memorial Health Center
Geoff Brown, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, INOVA Health System
Jim Carlson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Amerigroup
Honorable Ben L. Cline, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Monty Dise, President, Asset Protection Group, Inc.
William H. Fralin, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and President, Medical Facilities of America
Shirley Gibson, RN, Interim Vice President of Nursing Operations, VCU Health System
Chuck Hall, Executive Director, Hampton/Newport News Community Services Board
Richard M. Hamrick, III, MD, Physician and Partner, Pulmonary Associates of Richmond
Honorable Patrick A. Hope, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Steve Horan, President, Community Health Solutions
Honorable R. Edward Houck, Member, Virginia State Senate
Clarion E. Johnson, M.D., Global Medical Director, Medicine and Occupational Health Department, Exxon Mobil Corporation
W. Scott Johnson, Hancock, Daniel, Johnson & Nagle, P.C
Honorable S. Chris Jones, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
C. Burke King, President, Virginia Market, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Jane Kusiak, Executive Director, Council on Virginia's Future
John A. Luke, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MWV MeadWestVaco
Elizabeth Teisberg, Ph.D., Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia
Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, D.O., Dean and Executive Vice President, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
Honorable William C. Wampler, Jr., Member, Virginia State Senate
Joe R. Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, PermaTreat Pest Control

Rockford Health System Ambassadors’ Golf Play Day Fundraiser

Pictured Above Left to right: Bob Grass, Principal Consultant (Unibased Systems Architecture), Dennis L’Heureux, Senor V.P. & Chief Information Officer (Rockford Health System) & George Giorgianni, Senior Director of Surgical System Sales and Business Development (Unibased Systems Architecture)

Rockford Health System Ambassadors’ Golf Play Day was on Monday, August 16, at Rockford Country Club to raise funds to support the expansion of the Surgery Department at Rockford Memorial Hospital.

Bob Grass and George Giorgianni participated in the annual tournament, playing with Dennis L’Heureux, the system CIO, and Dr. David Deutsch, CMPO (Chief Medical Process Officer). The tournament was a unique experience in that the theme of healthcare resonated on multiple holes. Driving a golf ball from a wheel chair, putting blindfolded and driving with a child’s size iron gives a great perspective of the role we play in helping others. Real pressure also came from the requirement to play each hole with a ball autographed by Rockford’s CEO, Gary Kaatz. Only teams finishing the tournament with “the Gary Ball” were eligible for a nice door prize. The Unibased team is proud to announce that they surprisingly finished with the “Gary Ball” with a score of 7 under par. Looking forward to next year!!

[The RHS Ambassadors is a volunteer organization of the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation that supports initiatives at Rockford Health System. All proceeds from this year’s Play Day benefit Superior Care in Surgical Services at Rockford Health System.]

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT ON FACEBOOK

23rd Annual Managing Today’s OR Suite® Conference

Managing Today’s OR Suite® Conference
The Walt Disney World Dolphin, Orlando FL
September 29-30, 2010

We will be available for consultations, just stop by booth #522! If you prefer to schedule an appointment in advance, please contact Stephanie Speth at 314-878-6050, ext. 143.

Managing Today’s OR Suite®, the premier conference on OR management, is sponsored
by OR Manager®, Inc. This conference is for operating room directors and managers, physicians, ambulatory surgery managers, chief financial officers, materials management personnel, hospital purchasing agents, and others concerned with OR management.

Conference Description:

There is a clear theme in this year’s program for Managing Today’s OR Suite. OR directors are making things happen, and they want to talk about them. They are changing the OR culture, improving patient safety, increasing efficiency, managing costs, and generally getting things done. They are pushing teamwork and building better communication and collaboration with physicians. If you want to make things happen in your OR, come to Managing Today’s OR Suite conference. You’ll listen to OR directors and managers talk about their accomplishments. You’ll compare notes and network with colleagues. You'll take home information and strategies that you can use to make positive changes in your OR.

Here are some of the highlights from the general sessions:

• What would Florence do? Joe Tye will talk about what Florence Nightingale might do as she faced today’s health care challenges.

• Health care faces continuing change. David C. Goodman, MD, director of the Center for Health Policy Research at Dartmouth, will provide some insight on what you can anticipate in surgical services.

• Disney Institute offers outstanding management programs, and you’ll hear Disney’s take on quality service.

• Get beyond the coffee mug gift to show that you appreciate your employees. S. Max Brown is back with more on creating a positive work environment.

Best of all, we will be at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando. At the welcoming reception, Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters will be available for photo ops. What could be better fun?! We look forward to welcoming you to Orlando!

View the conference brochure (PDF) here.

Application Developer Position Open!

Overview of Application Developer position: Develop, test, and install .NET and C+ applications in support of the firm’s strategic direction. Provide project leadership on major application initiatives and technical support in a problem solving capacity for deployed applications.

Preferred Background:
* Experience with healthcare applications design and development
* Experience with HL7 protocol
* Experience with data oriented applications using .NET, Visual Studio, and C+
* Experience with programming toolsets
* Experience with remote maintenance, in particular Remote Desktop Maintenance

Ideal Candidate:
* Works well individually and in small groups
* Comfortable with large and complex databases
* Comfortable with programming languages and strategies that are leading edge
* Bachelors degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
* Experience with both Windows and Unix server environments
* Experience with installation packages, such as Installshield

Other:
* Resident of St. Louis area
* Very little travel
* Immediate availability
* Salary commensurate with experience

To apply for an application developer position, send cover letter and resume to:

Colleen O'Brien
Unibased Systems Architecture, Inc.
14323 South Outer 40 Road, Suite 300 South
Chesterfield, Missouri 63017
Phone: 314-878-6050, ext. 133

Please mention this website listing:
http://www.unibased.com/applicationdeveloper.html

Client News: WellSpan Aspers Health Center opens

Primary care plus several outpatient services of Gettysburg Hospital under one roof

The WellSpan Aspers Health Center opened its doors on Monday, Aug. 2, offering the people of upper Adams County convenient access to primary health care services as well as outpatient lab, imaging and rehabilitation services.

The facility, located at 2060 Carlisle Road (Route 34) near Aspers, is the new home to two established WellSpan Medical Group practices – Biglerville Family Medicine and Adams Cumberland Family Medicine.

“WellSpan Aspers Health Center demonstrates WellSpan’s commitment to making quality health care services available and convenient for people in upper Adams County,” said Thomas McGann, M.D., president of WellSpan Medical Group and senior vice president of WellSpan Health.

“We believe the Aspers Health Center is convenient for people in this area to access. This will be critical as the area grows and the need for quality health care services increases,” McGann said.

The Aspers Health Center also offers several outpatient services of Gettysburg Hospital under one roof:

• WellSpan Imaging offers patients walk-in, diagnostic x-ray exams.
• WellSpan Lab Services offers patients a convenient location for routine blood draws, urine collection, EKG, glucose tolerance testing (by appointment) and specimen drop off.
• Beginning in mid-August, WellSpan Rehabilitation will offer patients physical therapy services.
• Around the same time, the center will begin hosting a Coumadin clinic each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon to assist patients with management of anticoagulation medication.

In addition to housing the two practices and outpatient services, the Aspers Health Center has been designed around a new patient care model.

During the project’s development stage, WellSpan Medical Group leaders spent extensive time researching physician care models around the country.

The Aspers Health Center incorporates several new patient care and access features that will serve as a model for other WellSpan Medical Group practices in Adams and York counties.

Client News: Dr. Michael Choo Named CMH President and CEO

Dr. Choo named CMH president, CEO by Rose Cooper, County Editor

Source: posted 8/2/2010 7:15:00 PM Wilmington News Journal

Dr. Michael Choo has been named president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Clinton Memorial Hospital (CMH) Regional Health System.

Choo has served as CMH’s interim president and CEO since Dec. 1, 2009 when he replaced Andy Riddell who retired Dec. 31, 2009.

The selection of Dr. Choo to the position was decided by a unanimous vote by the board of trustees on July 28, said Bob Wagenseller, chairman of the CMH board.

“The board felt it was time to reward Dr. Choo for all his hard work and dedication over the past half-year, Wagenseller said. “He hit the ground running and has made patient safety and quality, customer service and physician relations top priorities. That emphasis is already being felt across the organization.”

Choo has been a member of the CMH medical staff since 1992 and served as president since January 2007. He has more than 19 years of clinical, business and hospital experience in his past role as president and CEO of Professional Emergency Specialists of Southern Ohio (PESSO), the physician provider for Emergency Services at Clinton Memorial Hospital.

He also served as medical director of Dayton Heart and Vascular Hospital’s Heart Emergency Center. He served as the chairman of the Performance Improvement Committee at the Dayton Heart Hospital and was a board member for the hospital from 2005 through 2008. In addition, he served as a board member for EPIC Insurance Company, a national insurance company providing malpractice and risk management services to physicians.

Choo earned his medical degree (MD) from Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass. and his masters of business administration (MBA) degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

He will continue to lead the hospital’s management team to deliver the highest quality care to patients, collaborate with the medical staff and provide a great work environment for all.

Work is ongoing for the sale of the assets and operation of the county-owned hospital to RegionalCare Hospital Partners of Brentwood, Tenn. Wagenseller said Marty Rash, chairman and CEO of RegionalCare, is also in support of the hospital board’s decision.

During the negotiations for the sale of the hospital, Rash and other RegionalCare officials said they were in support of the continuation of Choo as the hospital’s CEO. All other executive staff positions will be the decision of the CEO, Rash said.

Choo provided the leadership to CMH physicians, executive staff, managers and employees who were all involved in providing input that was considered in the selection process for a buyer for the hospital.

Five bids were submitted to Clinton County commissioners and RegionalCare was recommended by the CMH board of trustees to purchase the hospital. Clinton County commissioners Mike Curry, Randy Riley and David Stewart also unanimously approved a resolution for the sale to RegionalCare.

CMH has operated as a county-owned hospital since 1951.

“We are getting closer to the end of this very historic process and remain firm in the belief that this is going to be in the best interest of CMH physicians, employees and all the patients we serve throughout southwestern Ohio,” Choo said.

Sale of the hospital to RegionalCare is expected to be completed in late September.

RegionalCare will pay $82 million, the highest amount of cash offered by any of the four bidders interested in purchasing the hospital. The county is expected to receive a cash payment of $54,560,707 after hospital debt is paid.

In addition to the cash payment, RegionalCare has committed minimum capital expenditures of $60 million over a period of 10 years; minimum physician recruitment expenditures of $15 million over 10 years; $500,000 to the YMCA; $500,000 for community development; will pay property taxes estimated at $1 million per year; will pay sales taxes estimated at $1 million per year; and $200,000 per year was committed to provide care to uninsured prisoners in Clinton County.

Financial stability and resources of RegionalCare, experience in hospital management and commitments to ensure the long-term future of CMH as a community hospital, commitments made to CMH employees, the commitment for quality of life of the community and as a corporate citizen and the contractual assurances which RegionalCare is willing to provide in its proposed asset purchase agreement were all part of the decision to sell CMH to RegionalCare.

RegionalCare also committed to continue and expand upon the health care services provided by CMH and for the hospital to continue as a full-service community care hospital and to hiring all CMH employees.

In its bid proposal, RegionalCare proposed construction of a new medical office building, designed with extensive physician and board input and which would include a minimum of 15,000 square feet at a cost of $3 million. The building would be constructed to accommodate a second phase when physician recruitment makes it necessary. Phase 2 would add an additional 15,000 square feet at an estimated cost of an additional $3 million.

At the time of the announcement, Rash said he was excited for his company to be chosen to purchase the hospital and its assets. “We’re humbled by the decision to get to carry forward the 59-year tradition the hospital has in this community,” he said. “We see ourselves as kind of an accelerator of the hospital board’s vision. We bring some management expertise and capital. We’re just humbled to have been chosen and to be a part of your community.”