The Lyon County Commission joined the Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees Wednesday for their bi-annual joint meeting.
During the meeting, County Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the hard work of the staff and administration at the hospital and commended the board for their recent accomplishments including the completion of the new Emergency Department. The County and hospital have worked in close proximity over the last several years.
The County has been responsible for helping to fund large-scale equipment purchases for the facility. During the commission’s comment period Commissioner Scott Briggs expressed how important the continued growth of the hospital is in terms of economical development in the local community.
This was a sentiment shared by County Commission Chair Rollie Martin.
With construction of the new Emergency Department now completed, another improvement project is also nearing completion at the hospital. Last year the City and County agreed on an updated shared phone system after which the County decided to bring in Newman and even funded $300,000 of the $550,000 cost for the switchover.
Hospital CEO Bob Wright says the new phone system comes at a great time as the former system was severely outdated.
Wright adds the funding from the County was a major benefit as some of the equipment for the switchover was actually more expensive than the switch itself.
Installation of the new phone system is anticipated to be completed by early summer.
Once the system is up and running Newman will assume their third of the cost for the system.
As of now, there are no plans for further projects between the two entities for the remainder of 2019.
Also during the meeting board members and commissioners received reports from the Finance Committee, Chief Operating Officer Julia Pyle and Chief Quality Officer Cathy Pimple.
After the meeting, both the Board of Trustees and County Commission took a tour of the New Emergency Department which is set to open Jan. 8.
One executive session also took place. The Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees will have their next regular meeting on Jan. 30.
