Even as it battles coronavirus, operations are returning to normal for Newman Regional Health.
On the KVOE-Newman Regional Health COVID-19 Community Briefing on Friday, CEO Bob Wright said non-COVID-19 patient volume is now approaching where it was shortly before the pandemic began.
The hospital postponed or canceled many elective procedures as a safety precaution when coronavirus came to Lyon County in March.
Wright says COVID testing has stabilized at 10 to 12 per day, down from as high as 25 a day. About 10 percent of the tests are coming back positive.
Wright closed the program with a lengthy discussion about a succession plan. He says he is into his final three years of leading the hospital and two internal candidates — Chief Nursing Officer Julia Pyle and Chief Quality Officer Cathy Pimple — are now being groomed as possible replacements.
Wright took over the CEO position in January 2014, succeeding Bob Driewer.
Wright’s announcement comes as the hospital is making other personnel moves. Hospitalist Dr. Alana Longwell is now Chief Medical Officer on a part-time basis. Pharmacy Director Ashley Edwards is now the Director of Ancillary Services and Jim Crump will serve as both Director of Radiology Services and Director of the Cardiovascular Lab.
