RHCB approves housing leases

by Bill Boender

The Sublette County Rural Health Care Board met in Pinedale on Monday, Oct. 10, and received updates from Director Randy Johnson on current projects. Permanent positions for nurses are still not filled and there have been few applicants. The search will continue and be expanded.

The Pinedale office space is still not in use due to continued delays in finishing electrical work, installing ramps and getting the final application to the state fire marshal.

Davis Partnership representatives will be here Nov. 1 and 2 to present the latest plans and to meet with staff to continue the planning process. Meetings will also include Bill Schertz and Sublette County Commissioner John Linn so that they can provide input before plans are finalized.

Dr. David Burnett attended the meeting and asked the board to clarify their position regarding clinic use by his staff at Wyoming Range Medical Group, noting that his June 29, 2005, request for clinic privileges was denied by the board while several other physicians have been granted those privileges.

Chairman Jerry Jensen responded that he would not be in favor of approving clinic use due to concerns that some staff members might leave. Board Member Bill Barney agreed that he was also against approval until legal issues are resolved.

Burnett said "The only legal issue you have is whether or not you can keep us out of the clinic." Board Member Garry Eiden said he knew of no staff objecting and the current doctors have expressed no concerns about Dr. Burnett and Dr. Turner using the facility.

When pressed about the issue of staff objections, Barney noted that the open meeting was not the appropriate place to have that discussion. Board Member Mary Lynn Worl also was not in favor of granting privileges, stating "I have confidence in our staff to handle any emergencies."

In other routine business, the board agreed to hire one full-time emergency medical technician in Marbleton, agreed to continue the current building maintenance contract, approved the purchase of a new copier for the Pinedale Medical Clinic and approved leases for two residences for employees.

Six-month leases were approved for a house in Pinedale at $1,700 per month and one in Marbleton at $850 per month.

The board moved to disband the current search committee and form a new credentials committee composed of staff, board members and community representatives. An invitation for Johnson to join the Pinedale Anticline Working Group Socio-economic Task Force was presented to the board and will be considered.

The board then adjourned to executive session to discuss personnel and property purchase issues.