The announcement of a new position highlighted proceedings during the Flint Hills Community Health Center’s monthly Board of Directors Meeting.
FHCHC Communication Manager Verlin Conkle was announced as the Psychiatric Clinic Manager. This is a new position created after health center administration realized the Psychiatric Clinic, unlike other clinics, was missing the manager position. Conkle has served as the communication manager for the health center since returning from Greenville, Texas in August of last year.
Conkle has an extensive background in mental health with both a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in mental health counselling. Conkle will officially assume his new duties in August while simultaneously maintaining his duties as communication manager until a replacement is found.
Board members approved the monthly financial report for May. According to the report, the month of May saw a net loss of a little over $31,000 with a total revenue which was 16 percent under the budget of $854,000. Expenses were 14 percent under budget which partially offset the under budget revenue. Payroll accrual decreased $160,000.
According to the clinical reports, the medical clinic saw a total of 755 patients in Emporia and over 200 in Eureka which was a slight decrease from 2018. Psychiatry clinic numbers were up slightly from May 2018 with a total of 434 patients. The dental clinic saw a total of 621 visits in 22 days averaging between 2.3 to 1.3 patients an hour.
Additionally, the health center recently completed a security risk analysis under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), which revealed no major security risks, four medium risks and 15 low risks. Health center administration is in the process of addressing each of these minor concerns.
In other business, board members approved several policies under the 340B drug pricing policy and received an update from Kenna Burns of the East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation (ECKAN) Osage division regarding their partnership with the health center.
The board’s next meeting will be held July 23 at noon inside the Havenhill Conference Room at the health center.
