Indian River County Hospital District

Regular Monthly Meeting: August 20, 2020

SUMMARY MINUTES

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT

Regular Monthly Meeting

Zoom Meeting

August 20, 2020 @ 4:00 p.m.

TRUSTEES:                           Marybeth Cunningham           Allen Jones

Barbara Bodnar                      Tracey Zudans

Karen Deigl                             Dr. Michael Weiss

Ann Marie McCrystal

 

STAFF:                                   Ann Marie Suriano                 Jennifer Peshke, Esq.

Kate Voss                                Jennifer Frederick

 

Convene Meeting – Marybeth Cunningham, Chairwoman

 

Mrs. Cunningham convened the regular monthly meeting of the Indian River County Hospital District (“IRCHD”) at 4:00 p.m. Ms. Zudans provided the invocation for the meeting.

Consent Agenda-

Mrs. Cunningham asked for a motion to approve the budget discussion meeting minutes dated July 8; Chairman’s meeting minutes dated July 15; regular monthly meeting minutes dated July 16 and an August disbursement of $1,310,633.85. Dr. Weiss made a motion which was seconded by Ms. Zudans. The motion carried unanimously.

 

District Chairwoman Report- Marybeth Cunningham

Mrs. Cunningham indicated that the District will continue to hold their meetings virtually per Governor DeSantis executive order. The Districts budget hearings will take place on September 10th and 17th, and begin at 5:01 PM. The regular monthly meeting will be held on the 17th immediately following the final budget hearing.

 

District Counsel Report – Jennifer D. Peshke, Esq.

Mrs. Peshke provided her report and stated that she continues to track and follow the Governors executive orders and updates, concerning the physical quorum exemption for board meetings. She continues to work with District staff and the county concerning the 11th drive extension. There is a draft agreement currently beginning circulated and they are making progress. She hopes to have the document available for Trustee review next month.

 

Financial Statement Review – Allen Jones, Treasurer

 Mr. Jones stated that the District remains in sound financial condition and through the end of July there was approximately $7.9 million in the bank accounts, less the $1.3 million for this month’s disbursements. This will leave around $6.6 million in the bank for the remainder of the fiscal year. He estimates that the District will carry over approximately $4.2 million into the next fiscal year. As the District prepares its budget for the next fiscal year, he recommends adding additional reserves, in order to support any uncertain expenditures that may arise due to COVID-19. There could also be a surge in medical needs throughout the county as well. He also discussed the idea of expanding the Districts healthcare coverage eligibility guidelines to include those with low coverage insurance and Medicaid.

 

Executive Director Report- Ann Marie Suriano

Mrs. Suriano stated that she prepared a five-year capital major maintenance plan for the Trustees information. The District will continue to maintain the HSB building and conduct possible renovations to the GHC when needed. The GHC has aging air conditioner units which will eventually need replaced. Ms. Zudans recommended replacing all units at the same time for warranty purposes. Mrs. Suriano further explained that construction at the new office space is coming along but is slightly behind schedule. The staff will be conducting a walkthrough in the next few weeks. The plan is to relocated to the new space the first week of October.

 

Program Liaison Report- Jennifer Frederick

Mrs. Frederick stated that she and Mrs. Zudans will be participating in the final Fetal Infant Mortality Review meeting with Healthy Start via Zoom. The next step from this process will be to develop a Community Action Team to review the discovered data and implement improved systems, services and resources for families.

She has also been in contact with, PD-GO Web development, Mrs. Soule, and the TCCH accounting team to develop a report of District qualified patients who fall within 151%-200% of the FPL and provide a list of visits involved since October 1, 2019 to current. TCCH provided an estimate of visits from Oct, 2019-June 2020, and there were 296 visits with a total cost of $59,064 to the District.

Lastly, she received a response from Tykes & Teens with regard to the question of direct services in their funding request, which was forwarded to the Trustees for review. Mrs. Frederick explained that program they are requesting funding for is a therapeutic program with education provided to the teachers, and parents on how to best support those students struggling. Mrs. Suriano stated that this program has had success and two students who have participated have already been moved in with the general population classes at their school.

 

New Business- GHC Annual Review Update

Ms. Soule provided an update concerning the 1-year anniversary of the transition to TCCH operating the GHC and reviewed data for the last ten months. She explained that they did see an overall decrease in service volumes due to COVID and while they have seen some increase the last few months, volumes remain lower than normal. She further explained that TCCH has now implemented a call center with ten employees to manage scheduling appointments and COVID testing results. The volumes at the COVID drive thru testing sites have also decreased. On a positive note, TCCH has worked hard to improve the patient visits no-show rate and have decreased that rate from 28% to around 15%-18%. Mrs. Soule stated that TCCH still continues to provided telehealth services with the large amount of those visits being behavioral health services. Mrs. Zudans asked if decreasing extended hours were still in consideration at the GHC. Mrs. Soule stated that there is still need for extended hours so it has not been considered due to the decrease in volumes, but this coming Saturday there will be three pediatricians at the GHC to help assist with back to school physicals and immunizations. The Trustees thanked Mrs. Soule for her continued efforts and support to the GHC.

 

Other Business-

Mr. Jones addressed the Trustees and stated that he would like to explore expanding the District eligibility to 250% over the next fiscal year. He would also like to redefine insurance criteria in the District eligibility guidelines. It was suggested that they set a max cap amount and reduce that based off of income, with a sliding fee scale. There was further Trustee discussion regarding the same. They also discussed the challenges of redefining the insurance criteria. They agreed this matter will need to be researched further for subsequent discussion.

 

Public Comment–

Dr. Weiss made a motion to adjourn which was seconded Ms. Bodnar. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM

 

 

WILLIAM COONEY

SEAT 7

William P Cooney MD is an orthopedic surgeon (retired) who has been a resident of Vero Beach since 2004. He practiced orthopedic surgery at Indian River Medical Center from 2006-2015 within the orthopedic practice of Prosports. He served on the IRMC Foundation for four years. Prior to this, he was a Professor of Orthopedics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota, Chair of the Division of Hand Surgery and Vice president of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He served as the Vice Chairman of the Mayo Clinic Development Department. He has been President of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, Consultant at Shrine Hospital systems. He was editor in chief of the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and co-editor of the Journal of Hand Surgery. He held grants in hand and wrist surgery sponsored by National Institute of Health (NIH) and Stryker Orthopedics and has over 250 publications in the field of orthopedic surgery, hand, wrist and elbow surgery and microsurgery- free tissue transfers. Within Indian River County, he has served as Chairman of the Board and President of the Hope for Families Homeless Center, Board of the Indian River Hospital Foundation, We Care and Whole Family Health Center medical practices.

Term:  1/23-12/24

Origination: Elected (2 OC)

Occupation: Retired Surgeon

KERRY BARTLETT

SEAT 6

Kerry Bartlett,  of Vero Beach, has more than 30 years experience in philanthropy, including as vice president of the VNA & Hospice Foundation; VNA chief advancement officer from 2001-2007; and executive director of the Indian River Community Foundation from 2008-2014. Kerry is the founder of The Bartlett Company, which focuses on nonprofit and philanthropic consulting. She also is a managing director for Carter, a Vero Beach company that specializes in advancing philanthropy worldwide. Kerry has spent more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector as a fund development professional and has particular expertise in annual funds, major gifts, endowment campaigns and legacy giving. Kerry is also known for creating and implementing effective donor-centered stewardship programs that build, maintain and strengthen nonprofits’ relationships.

Term:  3/21-12/22   |   1/23-12/26

Origination: Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis
Elected NOC

Occupation: Philanthropic Consultant/Managing Director

KAREN DEIGL

SEAT 5

Karen has been President and CEO of Senior Resource Association, where she successfully advocates for older adults and their families, since 2006. In that role, she helps provide activities, education and services benefiting older and disabled adults in Indian River County. In addition, Karen provides oversight of the community mass transit system for residents and visitors of the county. As CEO, Karen is responsible for a $7 million operational annual budget and managing more than 100 employees. She ensures that fiscally sound and responsible solutions are created to provide healthcare and a better quality of life for all Indian River County residents. Karen earned a BS in Health Administration from Florida Atlantic University and an MHA from the University of Florida. She was elected to the Indian River County Hospital District Board of Trustees in 2016, and joined the Board in January 2017.

Term:  1/17-12/20   |   1/21-12/24

Origination: Elected 1 OC | Elected NOC

Occupation: President/CEO

PAUL WESTCOTT

SEAT 4

Paul Westcott has been a Board Certified Workers' Compensation Attorney since 1999. In addition, Paul has earned his certification from the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Civil and Family Law Mediator. Receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in both Economics and Political Science at Florida Southern College, he continued his education at Stetson University College of Law. He graduated from Stetson in 1988, having been a published member of the Stetson Law Review. Paul has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1988.  He began his practice in a combined civil litigation and transactional practice before serving as an Assistant State Attorney.  He began his career in Workers' Compensation with Rissman, Weisberg, Barrett, Hurt, Donahue & McClain P.A., where he handled Workers' Compensation cases at the trial and appellate levels.  In 1997, Paul opened the Ft. Pierce office of Hurley, Rogner, Miller, Cox, Waranch & Westcott P.A. handling workers' compensation cases at all levels throughout central and south Florida, while managing the operations of that office.  During his nearly 25 year career in Workers' Compensation, he lectured on a wide range of industry topics.


Term:  1/23-12/26   |   1/21-12/24

Origination: Elected 1 OC 

Occupation: Attorney & Mediator

BARBARA S. BODNAR

SEAT 3

Barbara has practiced physical therapy, specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine, in her hometown of Vero Beach since 1981. She was an integral part of the sports medicine team at Vero Beach High School for 35 years. Barbara completed the reserve police academy training, and served with the Vero Beach Police Department from 1982-1989. Her volunteer involvement in the community includes serving on the City of Vero Beach Recreation Committee, Arthritis Association of Indian River County, and the Senior Good Life Games. She and her husband, Michael, enjoy spending their free time traveling in their RV and training their Labradors, Gunner and Chase, in K-9 performance events, including agility and dock jumping. Barbara is a lifelong resident of Indian River County, and received her degree in physical therapy from Chattanooga State College. Barbara was elected to the Indian River County Hospital District Board of Trustees in 2016, and joined the Board in January 2017.

Term:  1/17-12/20   |   1/21-12/24

Origination: Elected 1 OC | Elected 1 OC

Occupation: Physical Therapist

MICHAEL KINT

SEAT 2

Born and raised in Illinois, Michael was a Theatre and Speech Instructor at Lincoln College when he moved to Indian River County in 1984. He was the Director of Education for the Riverside Theatre for a decade, helping to build the Riverside Children’s Theatre and directing many productions. Michael is well known in the community for his 25 years of service at the United Way of Indian River County, 16 of those years as the CEO. He is very proud of his work with dozens of nonprofit agencies and his commitment to creating and strengthening community collaboratives. Michael was also an Adjunct Faculty member at Barry University for 20 years. He has served on many boards and committees over the years, including: Children’s Services Advisory Committee Needs Assessment, Chair of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for many years, and he was a founding member of the Mental Health Collaborative, the Senior Collaborative of IRC and the IRC Executive Roundtable. As a Hospital District Trustee he is committed to serving all the citizens of our county. In particular, he hopes to see enhanced availability and affordability for behavioral/mental health for all in need.

 

Term: 1/23- 12/26

Origination: Elected 1 OC

Occupation: Retired CEO United Way

MARYBETH CUNNINGHAM

CHAIRWOMAN - SEAT 1

Marybeth’s professional career encompasses 34 years of working for GM/Delphi in a variety of positions. Starting out as a traffic claims clerk, she worked her way through the organization, with roles in Purchasing, Engineering, and Quality and Reliability. She retired in 2009 as the executive director of Global Operations for the Packard Electric Division of Delphi. In this position, she was responsible for 94 plants in 33 countries. Marybeth has served on the board of directors for numerous non-profits, including Northeast Ohio Adoption Agency; United Way of Warren Ohio, where she served as chairman of the annual campaign for two years; Up with People; Head, Heart and Hands of Indian River Club; Indian River Community Foundation, and the Indian River Mental Health Collaborative. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Albion College. Marybeth was elected to the Indian River County Hospital District Board of Trustees in 2014, and joined the Board in January 2015. She currently serves as Chair.

 

Term:  1/15-12/18   |   1/19-12/22   |   1/23- 12/24

Origination: Elected 1 OC | Elected  NOC | Elected NOC

Occupation: Retired Executive GM