Representing the Truth and Compassion, Underserved community....

Well, It's that time again, it's time to talk truth and no more "polite talk."

I'm sure there are those unwilling to abide the TRUTh, and they are certainly enjoying a Renaissance of deception, but there is no other cause I prefer, no other reason to do any of this, as this is my banner.

With that said, we enter the NEW AGE of KVHD and politically prompted policy makers and law enforcement "reinforcement" as there was a slide to the side of "JUST US" and no justice, as Defendants in the KVHD elder abuse case, have walked away with little more than slaps on the wrist.

Okay, now it's my turn. 

Today, August 22, 2012, Pamela Ott, former KVHD CEO, has her hearing in the Kern County Superior Court today, awaiting a plea deal. Ott is expected to get the same treatment as former co-worker, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, was let loose of elder abuse charges and plead "out" to conspiracy charges, leaving him with a 3 year probation sentence.

Ott, who was treated as a martyr by KVHD board members, after her resignation in 2007, even to the degree that she was taken onto the local radio station, and given a defense venue by Bob Jamison, disc jokey, and board member, to defend her actions.

Jamison who has repeatedly used his radio vocation to mix with his hospital side job as board member, and none of it has been uncontroversial.

Ott's status will be updated as I find out what exactly has happened, to fail all of us. Ott has credentials that should actually be a "cautionary tale" to those in human resources, the justice department or anywhere else there would be an expected degree transparency.

Ott has gotten a few helping hands as she has managed to be chased around, from the Kern River Valley to Sierra Kings in Reedley, as she is suspected of many violations against these districts. However, the likelyhood that these will ever be reckoned by those in the "HEALTHCARE WELFARE" industry which feeds architects, lawyers, bond salesmen, immoral activity of the ugliest kind, is remote.

BUT, I won't stop. And we will revisit some of Ott's top ten crimes, as that's all I have to time for. LOL

Fresno county DA office, refused to take a report or to discuss implications stemming from the Sierra Kings District hospital bankruptcy where some amount of merit was given to reports there was THEFT of FUNDs from the local GOB and even loss of EMPLOYEE pension funds. Ott worked with Barbara Jennings, who were both "let loose" by the Sierra Kings Board of directors, shortly before the financial crisis hit rock bottom.

My interference apparently was not well received, as I have created an awful atmosphere of INsisting upon this idle, uncomfortable idea of Truth. Nasty stuff I guess.

The WEINER IS...

Elder abuse, is reprehensible, but using elder abuse to get elected GOVERnor, Mr. Brown, is DISGUStING. And that is exactly what Governor Jerry Brown did to this community. In 2010 he used the Kern River Valley, the Attorney General's office and reputation, to Launch himself to the Capitol and begin his AUsterity wars, I'll call them.

In this process, he used much media attraction and attention, weighing in about the KVHD elder abuse case, calling it the "worst he had seen."

Also, using HOLLYwood or Weird to project his "lawfulness" to the crowd of voters back in 2009 and 2010, as he said repeatedly, he was NOT running, and that all the fanfare was about his justice seeking missiles, which have missed our hospital and valley, and are on their way back to the governor's mansion as I write...lol

Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, got Personal Visits from the AG, and well, we got a lot of hot air, as we are simply a town of backward simpletons without a grain of sense, and a notorious need to trust the wrong people and giving credit where it was NOT due.

So, on the list of TO DO is my new austerity measure: NO MORE POLITE Chit CHat, just hard hitting words and truth. Indeed,

"Kabala" Harris where is the magic? 

Another political figure who has been subtracted from our equation has been the new and current Attorney General, Kamala Harris, who rode into her role on the Coat tails of Jerry Brown.

Harris used rhetoric such as "you don't have to lose your principles to serve in government" as a platform to take the helm from Brown as the former prosecutor, was voted in to the office alongside her "mentor" Jerry in 2010.

She has been MUTE, unseen, a force of NOTHING, a existential AG, who was JUST there and not justice as we have sought remedies to the problems that occurred at KVHD and Sierra Kings.

Why should she move into any position after her foray as a political figure HIDING from a fight which would keep her a viable volleyball in the political FUTURE where she would likely be used as a candidate, Manchurian, LOL, for the DEMOCRATIC party? And the less she says, the less she has to explain come election time. And as a black woman, prosecutor, a light skinned African American, HOLY CASH COW, she meets all the "demo" requirements to exceed and surpass demographics which even cross party  lines.

She's meant to be the virgin as she creates a RESUME of political office.

Not fooling us all though.

Timmy's toy box...

The CEO of KVHD, TIm Mcglew, is expected to recieved another raise in two weeks, as the administrator has been held accountable as the number one paid CEO at the smallest hospital in Kern County.

How a hospital so financially distressed, calling it's community to BAIL THEM out of bad decisions which have left them in debt, understaffed, and under suspicion of at the least being EVASIVE, would be justifying the expense of paying more than 200K in good money for a Suit and tie type of administrator is questionable.

Some response will be requested as this has happened again, another year, another raise, and another round of ring around the payroll.

GO SEE CAL, GO SEE CAL...

My goal is to make our DEBTOR, Cal Mtg. in the office of Statewide Healthcare Planning and Development, OSHPD, a HOUSEHOLD name in the healthcare financial industry, as the debt suffered by the hospital was created by these lenders back in 1988. It was a small hospital, in need of expansion, worth less than one million, but receiving a Bond endenture of 22 million.

NO Collateral, no problem CAl Mtg. said in 1988, as they dropped off a bag of money, spent on construction which lend itself to only completely HALF the glass, and not half full either.

THE skilled nursing facility was to be created as 140 bed project, coming in with 70 beds, at the end, and no accounting of WHERE did the money go?

Board members, Cal Mtg. operatives, have denied and been evasive, as to the disposition of all those monies, and they have had the hubris to believe that we as a community, will pay this off and indebt ourselves into 30 years of increased property taxes. (Yeah, right)

So far, this community has held strong to not being taxed, but that tune of VOLUNTARY taxation without representation has been challenged to the north, as Governor Jerry Brown has added money to our property taxes for fire fighting, but he avoids calling it a tax, or allowing any VOTE by the public in opposition.

This involuntary taxation is going to be a problem, as the Governor, has created an environment of usurping civil and public rights. 

So when the hospital decides it can no longer remain in business taking small handouts instead of the big money, we may see something of a THREAT to tax.

Cal Mtg. has held the position that KVHD can NOT bankrupt on this bond debt, and recently made a new LOAN to keep them up on their payments of the original sin, and putting this off on another generation which will inherit the on going debt.

Why can't KVHD bankrupt? Why can't we have a lower priced CEO? Why do we need  a CFO? And why are the financial records so difficult and so confusing that board members regularly request CFO CheT Beedle explain the "facts" to them.

Ask the board,  how KVHD is doing financially, and you may just have A Kern Valley Sun article about them being in the "black." But how would a public healthcare district explain that they are in the black EXCEPT for the debt part. Again, low regard for the community, so low that they are willing to take advantage of the trusting nature, offering indefensible explanations, and does not appreciate when local figures find problems with their financial crunching.

One woman who found a 75K error on the books was taunted, derided, hung up by phone, and disrespected in every manner.

Bored or Board?

This year there are THREE count them, three board seats up for grabs, as Dr. Robert Gross, Victoria Alwin, and Bob Jamison are up for re-election. Jamison is the only candidate heading for pasture, but in his wake, new QAB radio owner, Charlie Busch, reaches out to voters to continue the intimacy between radio and healthcare by entering the race. Busch, being seen at his very first board meeting last month, will be the only candidate not well known to local voters.

Gross, who has many irons in the KVHD fire, and Alwin who has served as Timekeeper and board leader for a few years, are back at it, running again. Gross, owner of Sienna Wellness, a former DIRECTOR of Rural Health this past year, contracted as SNF Medical provider, seen in the acute care and ER, and now again, running for the board.

Barbara Casas, a board member of former repute, will join the race too, aside John Blythe and Tom Wright, both familiar names and often opposing opinions to the status quo.

There will be a page dedicated to the election on KVHD Under FIRe, as we look at the potential changes that a new board may bring. And I believe the candidates deserve a chance to say what they will without my interference and snarky comments, so that will as usual be provided.

But snarky comments are born out of frustration with polite, accommodating, behaviors easily mistaken as KINDNESS and fairplay, and I would NOT want that to be the case. lol

Finally, this is a mess. This is a discomfort, disservice, a nightmare for many people and a nasty reminder that money does grow in public healthcare districts, and it breeds contempt for those they should only be interested in SERVING.

I'm gearing up to GETTING 'er DONE, so let's get started.

New video on YOUTUBE, KVHD under FIRE, and a trip NORTH will be on the menu in the next few weeks.

Laura Hart  

Medical records, test results, refills of prescriptions, billing: Where are our records KVHD?

Most people I talk to who are caught in the healthcare system due to chronic illness or even longer than expected healing times, will tell you that the standard routine is all about making appointments for care, testing, filling prescriptions, and paying the bill.

But in the last few months I have collected a number of stories from patients within the Kern Valley healthcare district who complain all of these basic needs are not being met.

Last year I had to be the one to find out that the radiology department was seemingly holding on to records and they were not being sent out in a timely fashion as the new CEO, Tim McGlew, had only recently reported the successful transition to Truxtun Radiology and how well everything was going.

Taking a test is useless if your doctor or you do not know the results.

I had a cold, a summer cold, and for whatever reason I was sent for an x-ray at the KVHD radiology department to look in on my lungs for possible pneumonia which would fetch more money than a simple dose of over the counter Benadryl.

Not wanting to disappoint my doctor as he had spent those few seconds scribbling down the test request, I went and had the test done.

My doctor told me I would have the results the following day. Tim McGlew told the community that results would be quicker or actually "were" quicker with the new radiology contractor.

I hacked and coughed for a week and then realized I had heard nothing from the doctor on my test results. Not that I thought I had something horrible other than a cold, but since we spent the government's Medicare money to run the tests, I thought I might like to know the results.

At first, I assumed they would call me if there was a problem, then I questioned that logic as I have never seen that sort of fastidious care thus far, so I called.

Suddenly, everyone was looking for my x-ray and even the hospital which did the test, had to spend time in the search for test results.

When they arrived, I was informed that they DO NOT have one day x-ray service outside of the ER.

This was a minor error

In this case I was correct I had a cold, and the insurance paid money to find this out. But in other situations that have come to my attention, this problem is not only irritating but possibly dangerous. (Not possibly, I'm a textbook case right now)

This single mother had many tests run as she had been sick with gastric problems for what she claims is four years. The insurance again paid for all of this and the tests have been run multiple times, but the communication between all the parties, doctors, referrals, test results, were never able to come together.

After four years, she has a surgery scheduled that could have been potentially treated with medication in the early stages, but now has reached a point where more money is out the door, to bring in the surgery portion of the story.

She could have had complications, the risks are now growing, along with the bill.

The problem is one that can harm a person to the point of death, though unlikely, but it is a great big light bulb for those in the industry to consider more closely.

I called it in

You will hear that phrase regularly as those of us who have to regularly gather our medications often have to hunt down our doctors.

The doctor writes the prescriptions and you read on the back that you must take it a certain way and not stop without contacting the doctor as there might be some curious side effects: such as your blood pressure skyrocketing or your heart beat nose diving.

A main complaint I have gathered and experienced is the last dose effect. If you're not all together such as myself, and have no ability to organize, you find yourself down to the last pill at 10 pm and you can't find a pharmacy less than an hour away.

And you forgot there are no refills. In this area this can become a big problem and though I often call and scare the poor pharmacy techs I manage mostly to keep the medications going. But there are people who have lost insurance or changed insurance or don't have a generic, are caught in the KRV prescription trap.

I've seen people think they can stop something and suddenly find they are sick again, and we again pay for that mistake.

Sometimes small mistakes become big

The hospital knows it has communication problems even within it's own doors, five feet away, or whispered in their ears, they are not hearing with any acuity.

Why should we pay for this business when it is not working and therefore unsafe? I'm sure the hospital would love to have a great big GOB of 20 million to talk about how the problem is they have no money: the problem is they think they have no other problems.

Yes, they have money problems due to imprudent spending, just like their biggest brother, the federal government, but they also have let down their patients and put people in danger.

The federal government has a problem in that they are supposed to pay for all the mistakes made by their little bothers, such as KVHD, a public healthcare district, with elected board members.

Imagine the exponential effect of all the hospital's taking Mediare and Medicaid adding just a few tests or visits on the bill.

For instance, I found out over the weekend (many things) but one of which is that I have been getting pregnancy tests. I know about the birds and the bees, but I also know I had a hysterectomy.

Why doesn't KVHD know that?

They were also recently looking for my appendix which is probably decayed by now as it was removed when I was 12.

Paid for by the Government against waste and fraud....

Remember when I said I knew it was a cold?

I know myself and I'm sure most people feel that way, as I said I knew last year when I was getting a cold that it was a cold. I didn't think I was dying, I was uncomfortable, and my nose plugged, but I knew.

Now when I say making a small mistake can be larger than you first imagined, picture this: I have been seen for a cardiac problem twice detected by KVHD ER staff and equipment, and it was never reported to me.

I have to make a quick phone call as my emergent condition 10 months ago was only uncovered in the past few days...make sense? No, it sure as heck doesn't.

More soon, including the poison control tape you must hear....

Steve Russo HFS: What happened to this report? And more KVHD conundrums including the much awaited strategic planning "plan"

Money for nothing

Down the rabbit hole, or on this blog, I have collected decades worth of evidence showing how the Kern Valley Healthcare District has mishandled it's business "affairs" over the last 20 plus years.

Though it began for me, as I have described in the summary, as a case of elder abuse, and mishandling of law enforcement to protect the patients living in the KVHD nursing center, it turned into a more complex case the California Department of Justice simply did not want to handle.

That was only the beginning, as money which is now so scarce in these parts, (rural blight) went into the pockets of those who had contributed to the downfall of the small hospital and Rural Health clinic.

Contractors: Bernie and his PR company got 60K dollars for doing something undisclosed.

HFS a financial firm who put together a plan to aid the hospital in default with creditor, insurer, Cal Mtg, and help pull them out of the ditch they are stuck in from years of imprudent spending, was a 75K dollar boondoggle as board members complained that HFS had left holes KVHD had to repair in the report.

It was reported only after that meeting in December 2010, that HFS gave KVHD back 40K dollars for, what we can only assume, as board member, Dr. Robert Gross DO, said was a lot of mistakes.

"The finance committee found a lot of holes-a lot of mistakes, large mistakes," Gross told the audience about the report.

He added, which I think is a good line, but not pertaining to HFS, more like KVHD: "So do we really want to trust them with planning our financial future, when they had giant holes and we paid top dollar for that?"

Again, what did they pay for? And why did they, meaning KVHD and Cal Mtg., not take action against HFS for what they called a report full of mistakes in public and on film?

I have the report, or maybe even "a" report and I would like to know what parts are the mistakes and how did KVHD who hand picked HFS to do this "operations report" as the hospital was floating checks, and not checking to see if they were still afloat, while they went into default.

Strategic planning...more unnecessary costs?

The CFO, Chet Beedle, and CEO, Tim McGlew, both supported the hiring of a strategic planning group. However, the survey which cost the hospital 15K dollars, has yet to be unveiled after 8 months, and those who attended the sessions were directed to only make inquiries which were positive, according to owner, Michael Philps.

However, Beedle's resume, suggests, or really states that he is an "expert in strategic planning for rural healthcare districts." Again, this makes no sense, to spend money when you already have hired personnel who does this sort of project...and is an expert.

And there have been some really intensive plans created before this one, at a cost too, and yet most of the information gathered never was utilized, therefore more wasted time and money.

When asked how it will be different this time around, Philps answered that his company suggests that the board address the planning issues from his survey at every meeting.

We have yet to even see the first draft.

When the selection process took place last year, Board member Kay Knight, asked why HFS was not in the running to do the planning and she asked the CEO if he had talked to them about reducing the costs for a strategic makeover.

McGlew reported he has spoken to HFS about their costs, which were submitted at 20K dollars, and the two other players, Focus and Execute, bid 13K dollars, while Philps wanted 15K dollars.

The contract went to Philps, as McGlew said he spoke to other CEO's who have used that particular firm. But his reason was the money: grant money.

"Their figure was 15K but Focus and Execute was 13K-so but again these guys went out to find grant monies to offset some of these costs..." McGlew explained.

What is wrong with this picture?

First, KVHD had a default with Cal Mtg. last summer, or actually since the "80's" but Cal Mtg. gave the sinking hospital the choice of the company that would do another in a long line of reports costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they chose HFS.

HFS we were told would report to the community about their findings, but this never happened. Instead, at the December 2010 KVHD board meeting, we found out from Dr. Robert Gross that HFS made "mistakes."

The HFS contract we were told cost 75K dollars, and that payment was coming from a line of credit backed by Cal mtg. from West America Bank.

Yet, somehow, HFS, was selected to be in the running for the strategic planning contract. Why would you even consider a company that is supposed to have made "large mistakes?" (Dr. Gross asked that question and I think it was a worthy one)

How many wishes were granted?

Then you have the issue of Philps and the grant money they grabbed to help KVHD offset costs, said the top administrator. First, at the meeting McGlew reported Philps had obtained the grant money themselves.

In a phone interview, I congratulated Mr. Philps on garnering grant money to help KVHD save a few dollars on their latest planning session. Then I asked him exactly how he went about the process with this grant money and if the other companies were also doing this.

Philps answered most of my questions, but would not answer that particular question and directed me to speak with McGlew. I told him I got an answer from McGlew, and he said they gave over their annual 9K dollar SHIP grant monies: These are monies that go to the hospital, not to firms vying for a contract or job.

At the July 2011 meeting, only a few weeks ago, we heard that finally, there will be a presentation with the data gathered by Philps. But last year we were told we would be seeing the HFS report too, and that never happened.

Will KVHD have to fill in the "holes" in the strategic planning report too? What if the report is not what they want us to hear, can we get our money back such as with HFS?

Steve Russo of HFS was asked about the problems with the KVHD report, but offered no explanation.

But then nobody could offer a lucid explanation as to why HFS was not fired and another company brought in to finish this operations analysis. I don't understand why KVHD was fixing the report for another company, especially when they were in default caused by their own mistakes, as the company was to provide an objective analysis.

Mind boggling isn't it?

KVHD Nov. meeting a sure sign of more failure to come: NEW KVHD PICASA SLIDE SHOW

Kindergarten healthcare district
After the defeat of the 22.7 million dollar property tax increase failed to garner the 2/3 majority necessary to infuse the hospital with millions of dollars for a plan misunderstood and seemingly suspicious to many, the Kern Valley Healthcare District board meeting was a simple fiasco.

Dr. Gross, DO, and chairperson, Victoria Alwin, spent most of the night passing notes and whispering to each other as the board tried to side step the question of the night: PLAN B.

The board was asked what it planned to do in light of the current loss of measure g, which was not a plan as much as it was a way to gain credit and monies. In an email from CEO, Tim McGlew, he states that once they acquire the bond then they would take action to create a plan.

So, then what were they selling with Measure G?

With the community still confused as to whether or not the measure was defeated, only a small audience appeared at the KVHD general board meeting, as QAB media newsman, Scott Costa, initially reported on his early morning broadcast the measure had won.

This confusion of information, as I still receive phone calls asking what the outcome was on the tax hike, highlights a dysfunctional media relationship with the community. It only underscores my contention of how much power our one radio station/ambulance/board member can impact the information in this community.

What if there is an emergency? Or say the hospital which is an emergency...

NO to everything

Victoria Alwin, pictured above, shot down all ideas such as an immediate special meeting to consult with an attorney who deals with such cases as negotiations and bankruptcies.

Apparently, the board knew of this attorney, as Kay Knight, re-elected to the board, explained to an audience member just how much money has been spent on the "old debt" which is the anchor for the hospital.

Knight explained how many management companies took away millions from this hospital over the last two decades, and how the hospital has paid not the 22 million, but millions more, for this hospital a prisoner of a state insurer CAL MTG.

"...it just goes on and on and on," she explained.

It got GROSS

As Knight explained the history to an audience member, an obviously irritated, Robert Gross, interrupted and began telling her it can't be done, we can't negotiate or fight Cal Mtg.

His aggressive tone lead the question, "when you get this advice and it won't work will you finally stop this campaign?"

Gross explained he thought there is no way to win because Cal Mtg. has bigger attorneys and the attorney the board and administration nobody heard of until recent, was no match for the big guys up in Sacramento.

But, I jumped in and told them I had done my own research and yes, would like them to consult with this attorney.

"Then will you agree to talk to him and not hide it from us for eight months?"

Alwin, forgetting she is the EMPLOYEE, the ELECTED OFFICIAL, the servant of the people, immediately quashed the idea with an arrogant tone not taken well by people at the meeting and people who watch these videos I make.

"We would have to agree to it as a board and we have yet to do that," she slowly but surely told me.

"When are you going to do it, can't we begin trying at least to do this?" I asked.

"not yet," she finished and brushed me off.

"Okay, that's all I needed to hear," I close the discussion and this one as well.

They will not fight for you

At one point in the meeting, outgoing board member of 22 years, Bradley Armstrong, jumped in and told me that they had already tried the route of negotiation with Cal Mtg., in fact, he even went to Sacramento.

"Yeah and you went to Nashville too, we will take that up later, " I told the board member who took free trips in 2000 on the BRIM management company ticket. Meaning gifts and misappropriation of public funds backed up by documents I have obtained.

Why won't they fight

Tim McGlew, the CEO, has a very nice salary, as does CFO, Chet Beedle, and any rocking of the boat against the "Gulag Archipelago" program of CAL MTG., would mean instant termination.

However, CAL MTG. has some very important issues to worry about themselves in regard to this hospital and the way the whole operation from feasibility to selling government bonds to construction, to over paid management companies, to lines of credit, and now to the constant attempt to get this community pay the insurer's own debt via GOB measures such as M and G.

We didn't know it as a community we are collateral of the old debt, but CAL MTG., is the insurer, and as such, needs to pay off this contract and leave us alone. Without that debt we could obtain credit.

The community can't get these roadblocks out of the way, namely, the CEO, CFO, but also Dr. Gross who does know about attorneys as he himself began a lawsuit against the hospital in 2007 for the "misunderstanding" the kids call it now, over Sienna Wellness, which was supposed to be so much more, say an urgent care?

I'll admit to foot dragging

Gross who was recently demoted from Treasurer of the board by the Kern County Grand Jury, did admit that the hospital had been dragging it's feet in regards to the financial issues.

Yes, we had a meeting set for March of last year derailed by our CFO, Beedle, who didn't want to upset the applecart spewing apples.

Let me save you from their logic

I hear people all the time argue and not even realize for a moment what they are saying. The only argument they could conjure after the loss of the "no plan" money grab, measure G, was that fighting CAL MTG. had already been done.

HELLO...we have considered at least six GOB, tax measures since 1988, and the three that made it to the ballot all failed.

Is there not a small chance we could maybe try something different? Or that we fight for our community? Or that we listen to fellow board members and do not verbally assault them after a meeting?

Of course.

And a good fight would be to go straight for the old debt and CAL MTG.

At the very least we should have been told we could consult, not "retain" as Dr. Gross kept insisting, these attorneys as well as other specialists to begin a true plan.

Maybe it's me, but I think we can do this, IF we stick together. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen, so it may take a different course of action to get this vehicle out of reverse.

If they rid themselves of the debt they will be able to obtain credit, and then create a proper program with the community's needs in mind, and not create a money pit by putting a new building on an ancient structure.

What is the seismic deadline?

McGlew was asked after all the negative campaigning, are we able to meet the seismic requirements since the money was lost.

He told them a few things about the HAZUS report which allows us until 2030 to replace or retrofit the building.

THAT'S 20 years from now. We could be planning for the future and taking care of the present if we had the courage.

No, I take that back, if the board and administrators were not so tied to this hospital financially, they would likely fight. But they all have something to lose...right?

After the election threats

Well, I expected the building to be empty after all the threats which took place by the district during the campaign.

But watch out for Plan B, as plan A was not really a plan, but a Plan B will be the prelude to the most likely "special election" in February. The company which sells the bonds which comes from our projected property tax base, Caldwell Flores and Winters, are specialists in those costly elections.

That is how they got a recent bond in Tehachapi which is paying on three property tax bonds, and is expected someday to actually have the hospital they are paying for.

There is no way for them to function properly

Sorry to say the hospital and their administrators, though called for an urgent bond from us, tried to side step the whole issue, and quickly get through their meeting.

It is apparent that the board and administration have taken the stance that certain members of club Kindergarten, will not become open minded, but simply want your money.

No. I promise that won't happen.

Pictures and documents paint a thousand words

This blog contains 606 documents, pictures, and correspondence, and now you can view it all by going to the new Picasa Album site. Some people don't like to read, but this is all the dressing, not the salad. Not all, but much of it.

And I will be creating more albums that are more accessible, meaning less pictures, and with a story and title, and the site will soon be embedded into the blog.

These are "slideshows" much like a power point presentation. I'll be working on this now, and will update with any news of import, but a new product, learning tool, will be put in effect soon.

Currently up is the "PHOTO PHEST" from the November 3, post election board meeting. It is must see.

If you have any problems opening this link, please contact me, as this is a brand new project I think will be an informational and visual tool to explain what has happened here at the Kern Valley Healthcare District. (EVENTUALLY)

http://picasaweb.google.com/Harry.Athol

Grand re-opening of the pharmacy...Board of Directors hold doors open

November meeting KVHD Board of Directors:

They looked out over the audience and wondered "who are these people?"

The KVHD board of directors, not used to seeing traffic to the microphone, were inundated with comments regarding the Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy.

Now known by me, as the Kern Valley Public thrift store District, as the thrift store is supply many of the upgrades being done throughout the hospital.

The "jewel" of the district, according to Chet Beedle, KVHD CFO, is the Rural Health Clinic, making money, and getting new equipment, and I've heard there's even new cabinets. Wow, that will make them better over there (complete sarcasm here in case you think I'm being serious).

I don't know how that's going to help the services, but we are obviously pushing money over there, while the pharmacy sees cuts in staffing and no plan for bringing the pharmacy back in black.

But the public wanted to know why. Yes, telling them it's staying open is one thing, supplying the products, the customer service, that's a whole other story...

KVHD Board Chairwoman, Kay Knight, last month haulted the closure of the pharmacy, as she and three other board members voted to look again at the financial figures, citing the importance to having access to prescriptions on the south side of the lake.

As board members heard the sounds of voices, more than one, mine, at the last meeting. The importance of taking care of people here in the valley was the talk of the meeting. Victoria Alwin, Secretary of the board, pictured here, to the left.

Dr. Robert Gross, DO, look left, handled most of the questions regarding medications being asked by some audience members. Dr. Gross was thanked by an audience member for helping out in a situation where she could not get another doctor to listen.

CEO, Tim McGlew, pictured here trying to talk over a snoaring Bob Jamison, who made his point to shut down the pharmacy at the Oct. meeting, McGlew announced that they will give the pharmacy another try.

But what are we going to try and do? Just see what happens or get some of the money going to rural hellth clinic and move it into the pharmacy, that's what I would do.

Jamison is on the radio right now, "buy local." Well that's what we're going to have to do now. Shop local at the pharmacy if you're over here on the south side, make sure to stop by.

(Bob are you going to buy local. BOBBBBB????)