Pioneers names new directors, elects officers

MEEKER — Richard Ellsworth, Patrick Hooker and Tom Allen took the oath of office as directors at the annual meeting of the Pioneers Medical Center board.
In May of even numbered years, the Eastern Rio Blanco County Health Service District (PMC) holds a public election for three or four of the seven director positions. This year there were three available seats on the board.
Tom Allen and Patrick Hooker were re-elected for four year terms and Richard Ellsworth was elected to a four-year term.
The annual meeting also included officer elections for the coming year.
Kris Borchard was elected to serve a second one-year term as president and Dondi Glasscock will continue for a second year as vice president. Diane Dunham was elected secretary/treasurer of the health service district.
Will Grady was honored for six years of service on the PMC board of directors.
Additionally, the board approved a change in the district’s bylaws. The change moves the annual meeting to the third Thursday in May.
“We needed to align the annual meeting to follow after the May public election of board members,” Borchard said.
Margie Joy reported on the recent scholarship dinner and “Monte Carlo Night” held by PMC to raise funds for health career scholarships and support.
PMC’s “Grow Your Own” program will continue to expand to meet the workforce needs of the future.
“We had wonderful community support, approximately 265 people attended. More than $12,000 were raised, we immediately gave $7,000 back in the form of scholarships,” Joy said.
Twyla Jensen reported on employee events which were held during National Hospital Week. This year PMC recognized 30 employees for 111 years of service at PMC.
Dianne Baughman received her 25-year service award. The board of directors hosted a pancake breakfast for all employees on May 16, thanking them for service to patients and families during the past year.
Robert Omer, PMC chief executive officer, reported on the progress of replacing and upgrading the current single slice computed tomography (CT) scanner.
“We have raised over $465,000 in grant funds to assist with the replacement,” Omer said. “Later this year we will upgrade our CT equipment system to a multi-slice CT scanner.”
A CT scanner is the No. 1 diagnostic equipment used when treating head trauma as well as many other injuries and illnesses.
The current CT scanner has been in service for more than four years and has benefited many patients. The proposed upgraded equipment system will enable physicians to see more detailed images of the patient being examined.
Branch Bullard, M.D., PMC chief of staff, has been selected to be a senior clinical instructor for the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
This is a great opportunity for both PMC and medical students. This summer a medical student will spend four to six weeks at PMC completing a rural medicine rotation.
“This is a great way to introduce future physicians to a rural medical facility, plus it will give the student a wide variety of experience. We see a wide variety of patients in our clinic and ER, which is a great learning environment,” Bullard said.
Approval was given for filing of the annual Medicare cost report and for replacement of the operating room lights in the surgical suite. Authorization was given for disbursement of accounts payable for the month of April.
The next regular meeting of the Pioneers Medical Center board of directors will be Thursday, June 19 at 6 p.m. The board of directors typically meets the third Thursday of each month.