Hospital Board Interviews
Potential Administrator
By Ed Baldwin
Published:
Claiborne
Progress
Wednesday,
March 26, 2008
Staff Writer
Daniel A. Colon, 40, faced the Claiborne County Hospital Board for an
interview for the position of administrator at the regular meeting on
Tuesday, March 18.
Colon has 14 years experience in the hospital administration field and
currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations and
Administration at the Redbud Community Hospital in Clearlake, Calif. Jack
Bryan, interim administrator, said that Colon's qualifications will be
further reviewed and a decision is expected at the April meeting of the
board.
Renewal of insurance policies was a major subject on the agenda. Following
discussions the board approved renewal of the current policies for employee
insurance, professional and general liability insurance, and environmental
insurance. The workman's compensation policy is also up for renewal. The
current carrier issued one bid and then a revised lower bid. Two other
companies submitted bids just before the meeting. One of those bids was
higher but offered a potential rebate for a low claims rate. The other bid
was lowest but came in so late that it could not be reviewed adequately
before the meeting. Board members authorized Bryan to evaluate the bids and
select the best for the hospital.
Bryan reviewed components
of an operational improvement plan. Much of the plan revolves around
increased productivity and attention to detail in record keeping.
Betsy Maples discussed grant issues. One has been approved and will provide
PDA's to 10 doctors to be used to obtain up to the minute medical knowledge
from the East Tennessee State University medical library. Maples requested
authorization to apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture long distance
learning grant. If approved, the grant would used to obtain video
conferencing equipment. That equipment could be used for continuing
education classes without the necessity to travel for that required
training. Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk School of Osteopathic Medicine
has expressed an interest in joining with the hospital in that endeavor. The
board committed to providing funds for a 30 percent match if the grant is
approved. The match amount would be around $26,500.
Bryan announced that Kenneth Trent has been selected at the incoming
director of nursing.
Board member Betsy Shoffner was absent.
Ed Baldwin is a staff writer for the Claiborne Progress. He can be reached
via e-mail at
ebaldwin@claiborneprogress.net.
