The Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees approved two significant agreements as part of its monthly meeting Wednesday.
The board approved an agreement with Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the Ortho Kansas Group to staff the orthopedic clinic at Newman Regional Health. CEO Bob Wright says the hospital will lease a doctor from the group out of Lawrence, while nearly everything else will stay the same including non-physician providers and support staffing.
Dr. Michael Yost, who has been part of the clinic operations for close to a decade, has accepted a position in Oklahoma and will not be part of the transition.
Wright says the physician will be in Emporia two days a week starting in January. The new agreement will not conflict with a standing agreement with Cotton O’Neil, whch has a specialty clinic on Newman Regional’s fourth floor.
Separately, Newman Regional Health’s foundation will now be overseen by the Emporia Community Foundation after separate action by the hospital board. Wright says this has been under discussion for months and provides several benefits for Newman Regional Health.
Wright says the foundation has about $6 million in assets. Until earlier this year, It had been known for organizing the Denim and Diamonds fundraiser. Wright says Denim and Diamonds will continue to be organized by the hospital’s Business Development office.
Wednesday’s vote means Wright will now begin formal discussions with the Community Foundation. A final plan may be ready by the next board meeting.
Also, the Board of Trustees approved a plan to expand the inpatient rehabilitation unit from seven beds to 10 because of increased demand. This step follows approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Wright says average daily census has gone from 2.5 to 4.5 patients the last two years.
