Every year, the Iowa Hospital Association hosts a Legislative Day where community hospital supporters from across the state come to Des Moines to learn about healthcare issues on the legislative agenda.
At GRMC, we are very fortunate to have an active and engaged auxiliary that handles all the logistics for our group to attend. They arrange for a bus. They invite people to attend. They make the reservations with IHA, and make it an enjoyable day of learning and advocacy. The GRMC Auxiliary does a great job of orchestrating the entire trip. We have anywhere from 25 to 45 who attend on an annual basis.
This year, about 1,000 participants gathered at the new Veterans’ Memorial Ballroom in Des Moines, which was spectacular. It was something to sit in that beautiful space and look up at the rafters and orient myself in what used to be the gymnasium where I watched many sporting events. It is now a well-appointed large ballroom that can comfortably accommodate a crowd.
Gov. Terry Branstad was the after-lunch speaker for the event. I was pleased with the Governor’s remarks about the Healthiest State Initiative. Anyone who knows me professionally knows that I have been a staunch supporter of disease prevention and wellness efforts. Community hospitals have an important role to play as the health experts in Iowa’s cities and towns. I fully support the Healthiest State Initiative because I know that lessening the risks associated with many chronic diseases can help prevent people from developing diabetes, heart disease, and often several kinds of cancer.
On our tables at the luncheon were pictorial guides of all the Iowa House and Senate members organized by the hospitals in the district each legislator serves. They also provide a card with the talking points of IHA positions on issues and specific bills.
When dismissed from the luncheon and program, the attendees returned to our buses and vehicles and headed out to meet with our legislators. Every day is a busy day for an Iowa legislator, especially during the session. We always try to set up meetings in advance so that our legislators know that we are coming and that they can try to include us in their schedule planning for the day. As they say, “even the best laid plans” don’t always work out. This year, we had an excellent and open conversation with Sen. Tom Rielly (D-38) of Oskaloosa, in the auditorium of the Wallace Building. We can ask questions, provide information, and give another point of view that our legislators may not know or consider. And they provide the same for us. Our role as advocates is to inform and participate in the legislative process. Legislative Day gives us an up close and personal view of our state system of government.
I hope you will consider joining us next year. It is usually the last Wednesday in February and the auxiliary makes it very easy to go along. Our districts are changing in 2012 and we will have new legislators next year, which will make 2013 Legislative Day an interesting one.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Staying Steady
Did you know that the healthcare industry supports 1,326 jobs in Poweshiek County, Iowa? Overall, those positions contribute more than $57.6 million in payroll and income to the county and area economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association.
Grinnell Regional Medical Center generates 410 jobs that add $32.5 million to the local economy. In addition, GRMC employees by themselves spend $6.67 million on retail sales and contribute $400,360 in state sales tax revenue. Long term and residential care facilities employ 495 individuals. Physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and other health practitioners and their offices support 341 jobs. Add to that another 600 jobs that are indrectly related to healthcare and that makes a significant impact. In total, the healthcare industry spends $57,604,960 in payroll income that generates an economic impact of $77,881,091 in our area.
So why is this important? The contributions by long term care facilities, physicians, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, and other medical services make a significant impact on the local economy, This includes the number of people they employ, their purchases with local businesses, and employees' spending. It all affects schools, housing, service and retail businesses as well.
But there is more to this story. The healthcare sector provides vital community services for the health and wellbeing of all its residents. Whether the service needed is provided through emergency medical technicians and an ambulance, a routine dental exam, or using a local pharmacy for medications, healthcare plays an important part in all our lives.
Our area has a strong healthcare industry that supports current healthcare needs. It also contributes to the quality of life that makes our area more attractive to new families moving in, industries looking to expand, students attending our area colleges, or retirees wanting to settle in a community of care.
Even though GRMC has reduced payroll and the number of employees over the past two years, the healthcare industry in Poweshiek County has maintained its level of healthcare jobs and economic impact. Through these tough economic times, healthcare remains an important economic and quality-of-life factor in Poweshiek County and beyond.
Grinnell Regional Medical Center generates 410 jobs that add $32.5 million to the local economy. In addition, GRMC employees by themselves spend $6.67 million on retail sales and contribute $400,360 in state sales tax revenue. Long term and residential care facilities employ 495 individuals. Physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and other health practitioners and their offices support 341 jobs. Add to that another 600 jobs that are indrectly related to healthcare and that makes a significant impact. In total, the healthcare industry spends $57,604,960 in payroll income that generates an economic impact of $77,881,091 in our area.
So why is this important? The contributions by long term care facilities, physicians, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, and other medical services make a significant impact on the local economy, This includes the number of people they employ, their purchases with local businesses, and employees' spending. It all affects schools, housing, service and retail businesses as well.
But there is more to this story. The healthcare sector provides vital community services for the health and wellbeing of all its residents. Whether the service needed is provided through emergency medical technicians and an ambulance, a routine dental exam, or using a local pharmacy for medications, healthcare plays an important part in all our lives.
Our area has a strong healthcare industry that supports current healthcare needs. It also contributes to the quality of life that makes our area more attractive to new families moving in, industries looking to expand, students attending our area colleges, or retirees wanting to settle in a community of care.
Even though GRMC has reduced payroll and the number of employees over the past two years, the healthcare industry in Poweshiek County has maintained its level of healthcare jobs and economic impact. Through these tough economic times, healthcare remains an important economic and quality-of-life factor in Poweshiek County and beyond.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Your Generosity Knocked Us Out!
One of the things I love best about my job as a hospital administrator is when I get to brag about the extraordinary level of philanthropic support our medical center has from the community. Grinnell Regional Medical Center is a community hospital and we are very proud of that distinction.
Give me a moment to brag, and you will see why...
This week, we had an open house reception for donors who donated toward the purchase of these anesthesia machines. I had a chance to visit with the representative of the company that sells this equipment. He made the trip from Minneapolis to be here for the open house. He was impressed and thrilled to be here.
He said what impressed him was that the people of the community raised the funds to make this happen. He also said that the size of the community surprised him. He shared that on his first trip to Grinnell, he expected the community to be much larger because of the hospital and the number of procedures (about 3,685 annually) that our surgery department performs, the reputation of Grinnell College, and the diverse industries located here. He talked about driving around town and being surprised that Grinnell wasn't larger than it really is because it certainly acts like a larger community.
Alex Anderson, one of our anesthesia providers, said it best, "Your generosity knocked us out." I couldn't agree more.
Give me a moment to brag, and you will see why...
- GRMC just completed the most successful annual fund drive in its history raising $378,166. (GRMC serves a six-county rural area of east central Iowa that includes about 19,000 households.)
- A goal was set to raise funds to purchase new anesthesia machines for the surgery department at a cost of $35,000 each. We actually planned to replace them over the next four years as funds were available. Our donors rallied around this campaign and $140,000 was raised to replace all of them now.
- Total giving to all campaigns, the annual fund, special events, grants, and memorial gifts was $731,599 in 2011.
This week, we had an open house reception for donors who donated toward the purchase of these anesthesia machines. I had a chance to visit with the representative of the company that sells this equipment. He made the trip from Minneapolis to be here for the open house. He was impressed and thrilled to be here.
He said what impressed him was that the people of the community raised the funds to make this happen. He also said that the size of the community surprised him. He shared that on his first trip to Grinnell, he expected the community to be much larger because of the hospital and the number of procedures (about 3,685 annually) that our surgery department performs, the reputation of Grinnell College, and the diverse industries located here. He talked about driving around town and being surprised that Grinnell wasn't larger than it really is because it certainly acts like a larger community.
Alex Anderson, one of our anesthesia providers, said it best, "Your generosity knocked us out." I couldn't agree more.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Don't just take my word for it...
This is a great video that was submitted with the application for Grinnell's Blue Zones Project. It was produced in collaboration with several community businesses and organizations.
A special thanks to:
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation
City of Grinnell
Drake Community Library
Grinnell Chamber of Commerce
Grinnell College
Grinnell High School
Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company
Grinnell Regional Medical Center
Hy-Vee
Imagine Grinnell
What's a "Blue Zone" anyway?
Guest Blogger: Cory Jackson, manager, Grinnell Regional Wellness and Fitness and co-leader of Grinnell's Blue Zones Project
Stop!
Have you registered your support of Grinnell's Blue Zones Project?
Imagine Grinnell as a community where:
In coordination with Iowa's Healthiest State Initiative, Wellmark and Healthways have teamed up to find those communities in Iowa that also have the traits of these "blue zones." Through an intensive process, Wellmark and Healthways will select three Iowa communities to be designated as Blue Zones.
Right now, 54 Iowa communities, including Grinnell, have submitted a formal application. On February 10, Wellmark and Healthways will announce the 10 communities selected to move on to the next level of the competition, a site visit by the selection committee.
Being an official blue zone brings a wealth of resources to take communities to the next level in their efforts for greater happiness, health, and wellness. The application process has been a great learning experience. We have built a proposal that is collaborative, sustainable, and inclusive. We are already doing great things in Grinnell. We want to focus on making this quality of life truly accessible for all residents. Becoming a Blue Zones community would take us to the next level through greater community involvement and working together to make changes in our community to make it easier for residents to live healthier, happier lives. We need residents to register their support and get involved. We are currently ranked at number 14 in the state for citizen support and our goal is to be in the top ten. Every vote counts!!
Stop!
Have you registered your support of Grinnell's Blue Zones Project?
- If you have, thank you!
- If you have not, please do so by going to http://www.bluezones.com/ and click on "I am a citizen."
Imagine Grinnell as a community where:
- People live well and healthy into their nineties and beyond...
- Residents choose to move naturally using bicycles or walking more often...
- Residents know their purpose, why they wake up in the morning...
- Vegetable gardening is a "growing" pastime...
- Friends regularly meet in walking groups...
- Laughter is often heard...
- A sense of belonging is a commonly held feeling...
In coordination with Iowa's Healthiest State Initiative, Wellmark and Healthways have teamed up to find those communities in Iowa that also have the traits of these "blue zones." Through an intensive process, Wellmark and Healthways will select three Iowa communities to be designated as Blue Zones.
Right now, 54 Iowa communities, including Grinnell, have submitted a formal application. On February 10, Wellmark and Healthways will announce the 10 communities selected to move on to the next level of the competition, a site visit by the selection committee.
Being an official blue zone brings a wealth of resources to take communities to the next level in their efforts for greater happiness, health, and wellness. The application process has been a great learning experience. We have built a proposal that is collaborative, sustainable, and inclusive. We are already doing great things in Grinnell. We want to focus on making this quality of life truly accessible for all residents. Becoming a Blue Zones community would take us to the next level through greater community involvement and working together to make changes in our community to make it easier for residents to live healthier, happier lives. We need residents to register their support and get involved. We are currently ranked at number 14 in the state for citizen support and our goal is to be in the top ten. Every vote counts!!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Closing the Book on 2011
As 2011 draws to a close, it's appropriate to reflect on the past year.
In many ways, Santa has been very good to GRMC. We have welcomed many new employees and medical staff members.
We are fully staffed in our internal medicine department with the additions of Drs. Ron Collins and Todd Janicki, who join Dr. Chris Lindgren. This is a magnificient team who will serve the adult medicine needs of the communities we serve for years to come.
In many ways, Santa has been very good to GRMC. We have welcomed many new employees and medical staff members.
We are fully staffed in our internal medicine department with the additions of Drs. Ron Collins and Todd Janicki, who join Dr. Chris Lindgren. This is a magnificient team who will serve the adult medicine needs of the communities we serve for years to come.
Last December, we welcomed Dr. Steven Ellestad to our emergency department. At that same time, we also welcomed Dr. Seanna Thompson as our first OB/GYN specialist. As they each finish their first year here, it is clear that they have distinguished themselves as excellent additions to the GRMC team.
Dr. Soraya Rodriquez rounded out the physician newcomers this year, bringing new levels of service and expertise to the laboratory as our resident pathologist.
Nurse anesthetist Troy Anderson joined his wife Alexzandra (now full time), and Dr. Emge in our anesthesia department in late 2010. We are blessed to have such a caring and expert team serving our anesthesia needs.
Jill Jensen, physician assistant, also joined our team this year. She leads our employee health and corporate wellness efforts. She is also filling in throughout our system during various leaves.
This year is also proving to be one of the best years for the annual fund drive - again showing us how much the community supports the important work of GRMC. The annual fund has raised more than $350,000 to date for operating and capital needs. The annual fund is absolutely vital to GRMC.From these funds, we have purchased two of four needed anesthesia units for the surgery department, and funds are still coming in to purchase the remaining two. The first two units arrived last week to the delight of our anesthesia providers! In addition, this week we were able to order a much-needed new van for our mobile services unit thanks to gifts dedicated to that service.
The annual fund allows us to distribute 550 bicycle helmets to all third graders in the GRMC service area. Each helmet is specially-fitted for every child.
The Community Care Clinic provided more than 375 patient visits this past year, thanks to gifts made to the annual fund.
We had a great party in September at the Grinnell Municipal Airport with more than 300 guests dancing to the tunes of The Dweebs. Our first Blue Jean Ball raised about $16,000 to support surgical needs.
And back in the beginning of 2011, we installed our first fixed-based MRI in our radiology department. No more going outside in the Iowa winter for an MRI anymore, thanks to more than $300,000 in donations from the community.
As you know, not everything is merry and bright. We continue to face financial challenges. You have heard about our poor Medicare and Medicaid payments. Our challenges are big, but they are not desperate. There are many things to look forward to in 2012.
In January, GRMC will see a significant increase in our Medicare payment rates through a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program. The purpose of the project is to see how rural middle-sized hospitals would fare if they were only reimbursed for their costs when caring for Medicare patients when they are hospitalized. While this covers inpatient care only, it is a welcome increase when GRMC has been reimbursed far below our costs to provide care.
We teamed up with Surgical Associates to bring another new general surgeon to Grinnell - Mathew Severidt, DO will come to our community in July 2012.
We are finalizing an agreement for a new orthopedic surgeon to also join us in the summer.
We have a new nurse practitioner, Jessie Collum, joining Deer Creek Health Center in February.
Gifts from two donors have provided us with funding to finish remodeling the first floor hallway and replace flooring in the cafeteria.
I could go on. The point is, despite difficult times, the staff and volunteers at GRMC continue to work together for the benefit of the people we serve. Good things are happening. The care we deliver is of high quality and efficiently provided. We are proud of our collective efforts to fulfill the vital mission and promise to the people we serve.
Our future depends on many things, but mostly on us, the dedicated and talented women and men who make up our team - supported by an expert and caring medical staff, committed board and foundation board, extraordinary auxiliary, and a very supportive community. We will indeed overcome our financial challenges and continue to be one of the best rural hospitals anywhere.
As the year draws to a close, let me wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy New Year!
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