LCCHC CEO hunt continues, new hospital update given

CHELAN - As Lake Chelan Community Hospital and Clinics Board Chair Phyllis Gleasman described the month of July as having a busy one for the Commissioners, from Chief Operating Officer (CEO) interviews to Board retreat; they have done it all.

In terms of CEO recruitment, Gleasman informed the full room of attendees that she and Commissioner Mary Murphy have been reviewing and screening incoming CEO applications to make sure they fit the criteria the board established. So far, the Board has conducted six video interviews and three candidates will be in town for an onsite interview. During the onsite interview the executive team, staff leaders and physicians will have a chance to meet with the candidate before the board. “We have quality candidates coming in, it’s going to be very tough to come up with a CEO,” described Gleasman.  The candidates will be in town for a day and a half.

During the Board Retreat on July 15-16, Chief Quality Officer (CQO) Courtney Wallace presented how to set goals around patients. Gleasman stated that the six pillars that present the hospital goals will be worked on to be aligned with the patients. Overall, the retreat had great participation from the medical staff and the executive administration.  

The board received updates on the rural hospital health care industry and heard   legislative updates from Rep. Mike Steele. “There was a lot of really good discussion ... what was very important to me was, one, our continued focus on quality, and the other piece is helping our community understand the challenges rural hospitals are facing and how we are strengthening ourselves to be able to address those for the future,” said Commissioner Murphy.

CEO Steve Patonai had good remarks about his second retreat. “We had a lot of energy, a lot of focus, a lot of raising the bar,” Patonai said. “The future here is very strong,” he added.

The board also attended a Rural Health Conference.

Architects visited Chelan last week (July 22-25) and met with project managers, administration and the Facilities Committee to review the schematic design of the new hospital. The completion of the design is scheduled for the end of August. It was mentioned that soon, talks will begin with the Department of Health. A potential meeting with the City of Chelan will likely  take place in the near future, once the plan is complete.