Local News – Thursday, August 3rd, 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.