SUMMARY MINUTES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
County Commissioner Chambers/ Zoom
September 23, 2021 @ 5:30 PM
TRUSTEES: Barb Bodnar Kerry Bartlett
Ann Marie McCrystal Marybeth Cunningham
Michael Weiss Karen Deigl
Allen Jones- via Zoom
STAFF: Kate Voss Jennifer Frederick
Jennifer Peshke, Esq. Ann Marie Suriano
ATTENDEES- Gregory Rosencrance, MD. Roxanne Hall
Pat Knipper Myra Weiss
Convene Meeting – Marybeth Cunningham, Chair
Mrs. Cunningham convened the regular monthly meeting of the IRCHD at 5:30 PM by welcoming those in attendance and via Zoom.
Consent Agenda- Marybeth Cunningham, Chair
Mrs. Cunningham asked for a motion to approve the IRCHD/We Care Joint Meeting Minutes dated August 10; Chairman’s Meeting Minutes dated August 18; Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes dated August 19, Special Meeting Minutes dated August 26; and a September disbursement of $1,369,723.11. Mrs. McCrystal made the motion which was seconded by Ms. Deigl. The motion carried unanimously.
Presentation of Donation to CCIRH Foundation Mother/Baby Campaign- Marybeth Cunningham, Chair
Mrs. Cunningham stated that she had the pleasure of presenting a check from the District to the CCIRH Foundation for $500,000, in support of the Hospitals Mother/Baby Campaign. Dr. Rosencrance addressed the board and thanked them for their support. He stated that the District support of Partners and their commitment to the community is essential and he looks forward to seeing the District’s role in the community develop. He introduced Ms. Roxanne Hall, the President of the CCIRH Foundation, and she provided some additional comments. She stated that across the nation communities are losing access to hospital maternity care at a high rate, which is causing serious implications for pregnant women and babies. However, CCRIH is committed to providing exceptional healthcare and believes all women deserve the opportunity to receive the health management services during pregnancy, despite their ability to pay. With the support of the District and generous donors, CCRIH will be able to modernize and update the only women’s health and maternity hospital in the community by adding immeasurable value to women’s healthcare in Indian River County. Dr. Rosencrance stated that they anticipate closing the funding campaign at the end of the year and beginning renovations during the second quarter of 2022. Additionally, Dr. Rosencrance provided the Trustees with an update concerning COVID admissions at the hospital. Currently, there are 26 COVID-positive patients at the hospital, which is down from their peak of 111. He confirmed that they have adequate staffing and hospital beds for admissions. Additionally, he stated that the hospital has not suspended elected procedures or surgeries. As of Monday, the positivity rate in the county was at 13%, which is down from a peak of 26%. He anticipates that the rate will drop down further to 10% at the next reporting. Mrs. Cunningham recognized and thanked all the caregivers who are continuing to support the healthcare needs of the community.
District Counsel Report – Jennifer Peshke, Esq.
Mrs. Peshke stated that the District has had a few busy months with its budget process and meetings. Additionally, she is looking into a potential county ordinance change that may impact the IRC floodplain and stormwater code. This change could affect property the District owns within the hospital campus. She had followed up with the IRC Planning and Zoning committee and they are still considering this change. She will bring any updates to the board as soon as they are available.
Financial Statement Review- Allen Jones, Treasurer
Mr. Jones provided his report and stated that as of August 31st, the District has $7.8 million in cash and investments, less the monthly disbursement of $1.4 million. He anticipates that the District will begin the new fiscal year with around $5.5 million in funds. $1.3 million of that is committed to specific needs, which leaves contingency reserves of $4.2 million to begin the next fiscal year. He further explained that within the budget just approved, there are additional reserves available to address future healthcare needs. This has been accomplished methodically over the last several years beginning with the long-term stability achieved through the Cleveland Clinic partnership. Further, the District has been able to support these healthcare agencies throughout the county, without increasing the millage rate and being fiscally responsible with tax dollars.
Executive Director Report- Ann Marie Suriano, Executive Director
Mrs. Suriano stated that Kip Jacoby has separated from Morgan, Jacoby, Thurn, and Boyle and began his own private practice. Therefore, the District will transfer its records to his new practice and maintain his services performing the annual audit moving forward. Additionally, the District has been informed that the roof at the Gifford Health Center needs substantial repairs and that it should be completely replaced. Therefore, she is working with TCCH on reviewing proposals for the work and the funds for this project will be allocated into the FY 21-22 budget. Further, she has posted the internal audit and data analyst position on Indeed and is also working with LF staffing on finding suitable applicants. Daphne will continue to work part-time processing new financial assistance applications through the District’s financial assistance database, but reducing her hours to 10 hours per week, from home. Lastly, she was made aware that the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners voted to enact an ordinance establishing a Local Provider Participation Fund (“LPPF”), to assist in local hospitals covering unreimbursed Medicaid costs. She explained that this fund is very similar to the Low-Income Pool funding at the District provides each year to WFHC and TCCH. At the Commissioners meeting this week their board further voted to approve an assessment resolution for the three properties that will be subject to the special assessment. The assessment resolution and roll include payments to Cleveland Clinic Health System, Encompass Health, and Steward Health Care System.
New Business- VNA Funding Request- Pat Knipper, Director of Development
Ms. Knipper addressed the board and thanked them for the opportunity to bring this request before them. She explained that she is submitting a proposal for additional funding to support the VNA’s immunization program for homebound residents of IRC. The VNA for many years has held flu vaccine clinics and most recently assisted with providing the COVID-19 vaccine as well. Additionally, at the request of the Health Department, they began a COVID-19 vaccine program for the homebound and have continued to fund these services through VNA & Hospice Foundation donor funds. In an effort to continue to meet the needs of the homebound, the VNA is requesting $8,275 in funding for consideration by the District. This request is made up of administrative and clinical support staff expenses, upgraded travel coolers to maintain proper vaccine temperature, and supplies, which are unable to be absorbed by the VNA Foundation. There was Trustee discussion and Ms. Deigl indicated that Senior Resource Association worked collaboratively with Ms. Knipper and the VNA on this, and it’s a needed resource for those vulnerable individuals and families. There was further Trustee discussion and Ms. Deigl made a motion to approve which was seconded by Ms. Bodnar. The motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Suriano indicated that she will move funds from the District’s contingency reserve into the budget line for the VNA, so the expense is properly recorded.
Public Comment/Adjourn
There was no public comment and the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM
