Memorial Hospital and Manor CEO Billy Walker and Authority Chairman Charles Tyson presented the first “Employee of the Month” award to Glenda Christian at the April board meeting Tuesday.

Christian is a CNA in Manor I. She has been an employee there for nearly four years and previously worked in dining services for seven years. She was described by her supervisor as “someone who fosters teamwork and is a mentor for new employees.”

As part of the hospital’s Bridge to Excellence journey, the hospital has begun the practice of recognizing an employee each month. Employees are chosen from the HEART program — an acronym for hear, empathize, apologize, recover and thank— initiated to promote patient relations and service. The HEART cards are given to employees by their co-workers or supervisors for outstanding service beyond an employee’s regular duties.

Each month a name is drawn from the cards submitted to the human resources department and the winner receives a $25 gift certificate for the hospital gift shop and a reserved parking spot.

Finances

Once again, the Authority heard good financial news. Key indicators for the month of March reflected a net income of $110,216, and a current year-to-date income of $643,607, compared to a net loss of $1,400,310 last year-to-date. This amounts to a gain of $2,043,917 in the hospital’s finances in a little more than a year. Congratulations were in order from chairman Tyson who said, “Who would ever think there would be a turnaround of $2 million in one year!” Walker explained the success came from all employees working together, resulting in better attitudes, and was reflected in improved patient satisfaction and revenues.

Capital equipment purchases approved

• Fifteen patient recliners for the medical-surgical unit were replaced at a total cost of $35,421.85.

• Two refurbished biphasic defibrillators at a total cost of $20,959.40. These will replace two monophasic defibrillators, thus standardizing all of the hospital’s defilbrillators toi biphasic ones.

Election of officers

The nominating committee presented the current slate of officers for re-election: Chairman, Charles Tyson; Vice-Chairman, Dr. Linda Jones; Treasurer, Glennie Bench and Secretary, Johnny Grimsley. The officers were re-elected unanimously.

Board members also reappointed attorneys Tom Conger, George Floyd, Alston & Bird and Langley & Lee, LLC to represent the hospital on local, employment and malpractice issues. Also reappointed was the firm of Draffin & Tucker, CPA’s, who handle the hospital auditing.

CEO Update

Walker reported on the Saturday, April 14, foundation fundraising events. The Saturday morning marathon had 275 runners, plus 65 kids who participated in the half-marathon. More than 340 tickets were sold for the evening Derby party. Combined gross revenue from the two events was estimated at $62,000.

Memorial Hospital teams are participating in the annual Relay for Life and have raised $6,500 so far this year, exceeding their original goal of $5,000, through such fundraising activities as bake sales and other events.

The board went into executive session and returned to open meeting without taking any action.