Archive for 2023

The Salem Memorial Hospital held a board meeting Tuesday in the hospital library. Hospital CEO Wayne Reid gave the administrators report telling the board they had been awarded $1 million dollars in state funding for capital improvements. Board member Judy Thompson immediately asked if those funds could be earmarked for a specific project and she mentioned the kitchen drain project as she felt it was going to cost more than what has been discussed. She felt all the talk on the clinic renovations needs to put on hold until issues at the hospital have been corrected including old bedding and improved patient rooms. Reid and board president A.J. Seay said this is a matching award and the hospital will need to get another million to qualify for the award before any project or projects are earmarked, but that could be done. Reid said the hospital is applying for a $1 million dollar USDA loan as the matching amount. After conversations about how much the loan is going to cost in the long run, other financing sources, and possible funding from the MRPC, the meeting moved to a strategic planning update where former hospital interim CEO Don Babb spoke how important it is for the hospital to recruit a surgeon, fully staff the lab so that all tests can be performed, as well as staff other departments that will allow the hospital to provide their patients the treatments they deserve. The board approved looking into begin recruiting for a surgeon. The board tabled the budget review until the next meeting before the election of new officers. Ray Bruno was elected chairman while Willie Strader was again elected vice-chairman and Wanda Tatum was elected secretary. The board tabled the COVID Vaccination policy as the hospital is waiting on guidance from the CDC. Reid also said he spoke with local clergy and they will meet on August 23rd to discuss a new chaplain program at the hospital. In the summary of operations, hospital admissions for June were 87 including nine swing bed admissions with 282 patient census days. There were 1,468 Outpatient Registrations, 7,430 Lab Tests, 1,236 Cardiopulmonary Procedures, 1,293 Radiology Procedures, 620 Rehabilitation Treatments, 37 Surgical Procedures and 142 Home Health Visits. There were a total of 654 emergency room visits in June. The hospital currently has $2.6 million cash on hand with an excess of revenue over expenses for June of $75,731.88 after taxes. Reid said the hospital clinic income continues to grow, but there was still a slight loss for the month of $2,238. The hospital had 34 days cash on hand at the end of June as there have been some collection issues. Ashley Sullins gave the Chief Nursing Officer report giving the latest reports on positions available. Jodie Gorman from Human Resources then gave the human resource update for the second quarter showing that six full time employees and three PRN left while the hospital added two full time and one part time employee during that time as well as adding one PRN. The board approved courtesy staff privileges for Shiraz Daud, MD and Mohammed Jarbou, MD, and reviewed the Physician Clinical Quality Report. The board announced a public tax hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 22nd at 5:45 at the hospital library to set the rate citizens will pay on real estate and personal property taxes per $100 of assessed valuation. The rate is determined by dividing the amount of revenue required by the hospital by the current assessed valuation. Before closed session, RHG submitted their 30-day formal termination letter ending their management services for the Salem Memorial Hospital. The board then went into closed session.

The Creative Arts Center will be holding a two day-three session wheel throwing pottery class that will teach the basics of working with clay on the potter’s wheel and making small wheel thrown pieces. The class will begin on Monday, August 7th that will feature wheel throwing from 10:00 that morning until noon with trimming later that evening from 5:30 until 7:30. Then on Monday, August 21st, glazing will be taught from 10:00 in the morning until noon. The cost of the class is $80 and that includes all the supplies as well as the equipment use and firings. Interested persons can sign up at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website under “Programs” for the Creative Arts Center.

Unauthorized trails are an increasing concern throughout the Mark Twain National Forest. While the forest maintains nearly 900 miles of trails that are open to the public for a variety of activities including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and motorized use, the creation and maintenance of unauthorized trails outside of this system is on the rise. Constructing, placing, and maintaining unauthorized trails on National Forest System lands violates federal regulations. The use of unauthorized trails causes extensive damage to delicate natural resources which can include the destruction of wildlife habitats, soil erosion, and sediment pollution of watersheds. Additionally, sensitive cultural resources may be impacted, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historical Places and are subject to protection under federal law. When the Forest Service discovers unauthorized trails, especially ones that are regularly maintained, agency staff is required to close and block them to prevent the continued use and further ecological and cultural resource damage. The sustainability of the extensive trail network throughout the Mark Twain National Forest is not managed by agency staff alone. Trail stewardship groups such as the Ozark Trail Association and Back Country Horsemen partner with the Forest Service to ensure visitors can access ecologically and geographically sound trails. Back Country Horsemen similarly supports the strategically planned, sustainably managed, designated trail system within Mark Twain National Forest. In order to avoid further damaging the resources around unauthorized trails, visitors are encouraged to view the various map resources available online at fs.usda.gov and only access those trails that are officially designated and marked as such by the Forest Service.

Tuesday at the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting, the Rural Hospital Group (RHG) submitted their formal 30-day notice to terminate their management services with the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. The announcement came at the end of the board meeting in the hospital library. RHG was hired by the board on February 3rd, 2022 and began their management of the hospital with Bill May their interim CEO on Friday, February 4th, 2022. The initial term of the commitment was for 90 days to assist the hospital in responding to the financial crisis sweeping the rural hospital industry which has partially been caused by the ongoing global pandemic. They were employed due to their extensive experience developing and operating hospitals in rural settings. RHG transitioned to Don Babb as the interim CEO in May before hiring Wayne Reid on August 29th of 2022 who has been the CEO since then. In the 18 months RHG has been in charge, the hospital finances have stabilized and they have showed an excess of revenues over expenses in the last six months. Also on Tuesday after the Board of Directors meeting, hospital board members A.J. Seay and Willie Strader resigned from the board effective immediately. Seay served the board from District 6 and Strader was from District 4. Seay stated his reason for resigning was that “his vision of hope for the hospital no longer aligns with the desires and management of the rest of the board of directors.” Strader in his letter of resignation indicated he “did not agree with the remaining board members vision for the future of the hospital or their plan for its management.” Both Seay and Strader wish the best of luck to “staff, administration and RHG.” Currently there are four board members left on the SMH Board of Directors.

The 2023 Back To School Readiness Event will be held Saturday, August 12th at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. Please arrive during the correct time slot and they are last name A-L @ 10:00 to 11:30 and last name M-Z @ 11:30 to 1:00. Registration will be held at the Salem SCMCAA office at 1405 South Wines Street today and Thursday from 7:30 until 5:00. For answers to any questions you may have, call (573) 729-3500, extension 10, and ask for Sarah or Kaitie.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the last week. On July 21st, Dent County Deputies responded to the 4900 block of Route H for a fight. During the course of the altercation, a suspect fired multiple shots from a handgun. After fleeing the scene on foot, the suspect, a 38-year-old Salem man, was arrested. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold. No subjects were struck by any rounds that were fired. On Saturday, July 22nd, deputies responded to the 3600 block of Route VV for a report of a 48-year-old Licking woman who was discharging a firearm on the reporting party’s property. Upon completion of the investigation, the woman was trespassed from the property. On Tuesday, July 25th, deputies responded to the 1900 block of Route HH for an alleged assault. The victim, a juvenile female, stated she had a verbal argument with her father, a 53-year-old Salem man. During the course of the argument, the juvenile advised she had been struck by a stun gun. Deputies assisted the Division of Family Services with an investigation and the proper reports were filed. If anyone has any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please all the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The City of Salem will be holding a City of Salem Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing and then public meeting Thursday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers starting at 6:00 with the public hearing. The meeting will be called to order at the conclusion of the public hearing. In new business, the the commission will either accept or reject the request from C.R. Financial for a plat subdivision of the property west of 400 East Bergman which is vacant and currently zoned industrial in order to build a home. The commission will also either accept or reject a conditional use permit request from Michael Florence to perform motorcycle detailing, plus the changing of motorcycle oil and tires at 1509 South Louise Street. The commission will either accept or reject a request for a plat subdivision for the property at 501 North Washington Street where AMKB Investments would like to keep some of the parking lot behind the old L.N. Coffman building, and sell or rent the other part of the property with the old Fidelity Communications building on it. The commission will then either accept or reject a request for a conditional use permit from Chris Hendrix at 1000 West Scenic Rivers Blvd to add a crematory to the current funeral home services. The commission will also either accept or reject the request from property owner Ben Campbell of Campbell Properties Unlimited, LLC., to rezone the property at 905 West Scenic Rivers Blvd from residential to commercial. The proposed use for the property, which was formally the Annie’s Grill, would to put in a Scooter’s Coffee Drive-Thru. The meeting would then be adjourned.