Rural Health Care Board continues recruitment

by Bill Boender

The Sublette County Rural Health Care District board met Monday in Pinedale with Garry Eiden and Walt Bousman absent. The meeting began with Kris Roork addressing the board to clarify issues regarding her resignation from her position as a physician’s assistant at the Pinedale Medical Clinic following some 14 years of service in that position. Roork advised the board that she resigned at the end of February due to continued conflicts with Dr. Judy Boyle. Roork also expressed interest in returning to the clinic after the board takes control in July.

The board approved a contract with Merritt Hawkins to recruit physicians to staff both the Marbleton and Pinedale clinics. The board discussed establishing another physician search committee to assist but Board Member Bill Barney objected, indicating that it would only make the process slower and more cumbersome.

In Emergency Medical Services business, Andy McGinnis reported that the EMS Council intends to recommend staffing for two full-time crews to be available 24 hours, 7 days a week in Pinedale. Marbleton will request two full-time crews for days and one for nights.

As there are not enough volunteers available, that may require hiring of additional full time EMTs. The board discussed ways to acquire additional volunteers and will expand efforts to attract more applicants.

The board agreed to establish a new position of clinic administrator to control operations of both the Pinedale and Marbleton clinics. Advertising for applicants will begin immediately in order to have that position filled by the end of June. Discussion of responsibilities and authorities of that new position and the position of current Director Randy Johnson will be reviewed and established after further study.

Board Member May Lynn Worl addressed the board with aproposal to create a new program referred to as Healthy Sublette. Worl requested a $9,500 budget for funding nutrition and obesity programs in the county using primarily volunteers to handle the duties.

Board Chairman Jerry Jensen noted that the board needs tof ormulate a plan of action that can be presented to the public and the county commissioners before the next commissioners meeting on June 6th. A special budget meeting will be scheduled next week to hear budget requests and to work on planning for coming changes in operation and clinic construction.

Barney commented that the board should proceed slowly with changes so that they avoid making things worse before they get better. Several added positions in both clinics and in board administration will need to be filled to keep up with the changes and construction that is in process and proposed.