Could be a happy new year...depends

Two newly elected Kern Valley Health Care board members were sworn in last Thurs, Dec. 4, 2008, at the final monthly board meeting of the year.
Victoria Alwin and Robert Gross DO, along with incumbent, Robert Jamison, swore their oath to the valley before a small crowd of onlookers.
Applause rang out after the members repeated the oath given by board member, Kathryn Knight.



Although the new members were sworn in, former chairman of the board, Bob Jamison sparred with Kathryn Knight over the fact that the organizational meeting which seats the board members, would not take place.





After much ado about the legalities involved (the hospital’s by-laws say the vote for the different seats occurs the first meeting in Dec.) the board’s legal counsel, Scott Nave, broke with Jamison and help set up a special meeting, which occurred Wed., Dec. 10.




Information from the special meeting to seat the new members is that our new board configuration now has Kathryn Knight as Chairwoman of the board; Vice chair, Dr. Robert Gross; board secretary, Victoria Alwin; Armstrong Treasurer and Jamison has the
2nd vice chair now.


The new board members will have their work cut out for them as the hospital faces many obstacles and challenges including an on-going investigation of some staff members that was spawned from the Skilled Nursing Facility fiasco last year, where the facility was almost closed down.
According to Dana Simas with the Department of Justice, there is an investigation taking place, but at this time little information is available for release.
The DOJ and relevant agencies from the Attorney General’s office, cannot disclose the agencies or staff involved so as not to jeopardize the laws surrounding the investigation.
Simas said as soon as any charges are filed, then there will be specific information available.

“Currently, we have no charges filed against any KVHD staff.”

Luis Farias, with the Department of Consumer Affairs, explained that the process of investigating situations such as the one at the KVHD Hospital, requires tedious work.

“The investigator will generally interview the complainant, witnesses, and the subject of the investigation. The investigator will also gather documentation, such as patient records, personnel records, etc., from relevant sources. After all pertinent information is collected, the investigator prepares an investigation report which is forwarded to the licensing authority. When necessary, expert review of the case is conducted and an expert opinion provided. Investigations which provide evidence that the practitioner has violated the Practice Act and that the violation warrants formal disciplinary action will be resolved by informal or formal proceedings which may involve referral to the Attorney General's Office for prosecution. If no violation can be substantiated, the case is closed and the complainant is notified. If a case involves unlicensed or criminal activity, it is referred to the local district attorney for prosecution. The entire complaint review, investigation and legal review process may take an extended period of time depending on the complexity of the case. To preserve the constitutional rights of the accused during the complaint and investigation stages, all information is confidential, may not be discussed, and is not public record.”

Farias could not provide specific information about what agencies are involved in the investigation or which agency initiated the probe.

“The case is still under investigation.”

Farias and the DOJ will release information as it becomes available to the public.

As the hospital marks it’s 40th birthday, it has received a special present in that there are new board members now stepping in to keep the hospital alive for its next birthday.

But the past cannot be forgotten; the mistakes must not happen again or become hidden and fester. History is the teacher.

Brad Armstrong, who had long been quiet about the heavy financial losses incurred when the district attempted the skilled nursing facility construction project during the 1990’s, said he saw the problems and does not want to see them happen again. The hospital still has a debt of more than 14 million dollars, which is actually down from 22 million from that project.



However, Armstrong did not mention the failed bond, Measure M, from 2006, which was 12.5 million, for new buildings rather than upgrading the building for seismic compliance.
The hospital paid an architectural firm at least $30,000 for plans that were inadequate and now have been brushed under the carpet. (for now)
The board voted unanimously at the meeting to begin negotiations with another architectural firm, NTD, as they must research potential construction projects including the state seismic requirements for the acute care wing.
One speaker, who has been outspoken about the construction projects, Wally Hyer, told the board it is a bad economy and people will be burdened with more property taxes if the hospital attempts another bond.



And if you haven’t taken math or don’t like numbers, you will likely not understand what the CEO, Rick Carter, and CFO, Chet Beedle have to say about how much money the hospital is making or not making or breaking even??





If that didn’t make sense to you, it’s not really your math skills; It really didn’t make sense.

Finally, I was asked by the husband of a departing board member, what is my agenda.
I have no agenda, but I had a responsibility to report violations as a member of the media. It’s written in the Brown Act. Even the public has this obligation. And that is what I did.

Look for more video on our YouTube site………………………… http://www.youtube.com/orderbipolardisorder