Brookings Health System
Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting
August 28, 2023
The Brookings Health System Board of Trustees held a meeting on August 28, 2023, at the Brookings Hospital in the Board Room with the following members present: Dick Peterson, Sheila Anderson, Lynn Darnall, Andrew Ellsworth, Tracy Greene, Don Greiner, Mary Anne Krogh, David Meyer, Jim Morgan; Ex-officio: Brianna Doran, Bonny Specker and Ryan Krogman
Management Present: Jason Merkley, CEO; Tammy Hillestad, CNO; Melissa Wagner, CFO and Sheri Wiig, recorder
President Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
New city ex-officio, Bonny Specker, was introduced and welcomed.
AGENDA
A motion was made by Krogh, seconded by Anderson to approve the agenda. All present voted in favor; motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Morgan, seconded by Meyer to approve the following consent agenda items: June 26, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting minutes, Brookings Health System Board Bylaws annual review, Quality Assessment Performance Improvement Plan annual review, and June and July financials, adjustments and payables. Total payables for June were $3,598,413.87and total payables for July were $2,524,588.51. All present voted in favor; motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Articles of interest included: “Six SD nursing homes are among nations worst rated”, KSFY; “Trustee Advocacy”, SDAHO Trustee Quarterly; “Why a new Minnesota law could kill the proposed Fairview-Sanford merger”, Modern Healthcare; and, “Health systems turn to virtual nursing to close the care gaps”, Modern Healthcare.
REPORTS
Executive Reports
CEO Report
Merkley noted the Aiming to Inspire Health sporting clays fundraiser held on August 10th was a successful event; net proceeds totaling $21,000 will help support local health care. The Neighborhoods at Brookview also had a successful resident/family picnic on August 11th. Merkley asked members to “save the date” for the employee appreciation event to be held on November 10. The event will be a celebration for hospital and nursing home staff for reaching 5 Stars!
CFO Report
Wagner noted the 2024 budgeting process has begun. The capital budget will be worked on through the month of September and presented to the board in October and the operating budget will be completed in December. Wagner also noted a SD Department of Health Improvement Innovation grant was applied for and received. Grant funds will be used to translate many patient forms and documents into Spanish as well as updating Brookings Health System’s website to be multilingual.
CNO Report
Hillestad noted there are staffing changes occurring at the Rural Health Clinics in White and Arlington; Sheri Jo Gibson, DNP in White, announced her retirement and Marissia Schaefer, DNP in Arlington, submitted her resignation. Anna Gebhart, DNP, has accepted the position as provider for both White and Arlington clinics.
Board Committee Reports
Administrative Committee Meeting
Board Secretary, Darnall provided a report; the Administrative Committee met on August 22, 2023. Topics of discussion included Meditech Expanse/Avera/Workday, Physician Recruitment, Medicare Advantage Plans, Yorkshire Medical Building, Board Reappointments, Sports Performance Center, BHS’s Strategic Plan, FY24 Capital Budget and Wage Market Analysis.
Finance Committee
Committee Chair, Anderson provided a report; the Finance Committee met on August 22, 2023. The committee reviewed and approved the payables, financials and adjustments for June and July. Total salaries and wages for June were $2,453,924 and total salaries and wages for July were $2,460,357. Other topics of discussion included a Quarter 2 Cash Flow Update, Banking RFP Update, Medicare Advantage Plans, and FY24 Capital Budget.
Quality Committee
Committee Chair, Krogh provided a report; the Quality Committee met on August 22, 2023. Jerad Ries, IT Manager, presented information on a process improvement project focusing on a cost effective plan to improve cellular reception/service in the Emergency Department of the hospital. Other topics of discussion included reports on the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, Deficit Reduction Act Hospital Acquired Conditions Measures, and Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care. Results were also given on regulatory reviews conducted at the rural health clinics in Arlington, Volga and White which were all found to be compliant.
NEW BUSINESS
Medical Staff Credentialing
A motion was made by Ellsworth, seconded by Darnall to approve all August credentialing as recommended by the Medical Executive Committee. All present voted in favor; motion carried.
Brookings Health System Strategic Plan 2023 – 2026 – Service Pillar
Hillestad presented an overview of the Service Pillar goal which states, “Exceed the expectations of our customers by supporting and modeling initiatives of BHS’s values and standards of behavior”.
Four (4) strategic objectives were reviewed along with corresponding key activities. All agreed, the current pillar objectives and key activities were appropriate and acceptable for the plan.
Brookings Health System Strategic Plan 2023 – 2026 – Growth Pillar
Merkley presented an overview of the Growth Pillar which states, “Be the health system of choice for the regional service area while enhancing the overall footprint, service lines and market presence of Brookings Health System”. Six (6) strategic objectives were reviewed along with corresponding key activities. A discussion took place and a few recommendations of additional key activities were suggested that may continue to grow in demand, i.e., private duty home health and imaging services.
This completes the review of all pillars within the strategic plan and an updated format (placemat) including all pillars will be presented for review at the September board meeting.
Open Forum
Terry Anderson from Anderson Insurance and John Lawler from McGreevy & Associates attended the meeting and discussion was held on Brookings Health System’s recent announcement to cancel participation with a few Medicare Advantage Plans (Humana, Aetna & Medica). Both parties agreed to continue to work together for the benefit of the community and provide education to those seeking information on insurance and Medicare Advantage plans.
Upon motion by Greene, second by Ellsworth, the meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Lynn Darnall, Secretary