Craig Daily Press / TMH board taps CEO for nonprofit

Archive for Saturday, May 3, 2008

George Rohrich appointed to serve hospital’s new Facilities Corporation

May 3, 2008

The hospital board: • Approved, 7-0, the reappointment of Dr. Gregory Roberts to active medical staff. • Approved, 7-0, the appointment of physician's assistant Kevin Kolvereid to provisional staff. • Approved, 7-0, the appointment of Dr. William Gattis to provisional staff. • Approved, 6-1, unassigned call physician's contracts. Board chairman Melton Sullivan voted against the proposal. The contract calls for physicians who take unassigned calls in the emergency room to be paid $100 per hour. • Approved, 7-0, a 36-month lease for $2,730 per month with Electronic Healthcare Services for practice management software for Valley Health Center. • Approved, 7-0, the purchase of a replacement chiller for air-conditioning unit for $39,400. • Approved, 7-0, the purchase of fire detectors for $13,234 through Commercial Specialists of Western Colorado. • Approved, 7-0, amendments to a memorandum of understanding between The Memorial Hospital and Colorado Northwestern Community College. • Approved, 7-0, board of trustees by-laws.

Craig — The Memorial Hospital board has appointed its chief executive officer George Rohrich to the board of its new nonprofit entity, The Memorial Hospital Facilities Corporation.

Approval of the CEO's appointment came during the board's meeting Wednesday night and was recommended by attorneys from the hospital's legal firm, Caplan and Earnest. The appointment also was necessary for the corporation to submit an application seeking nonprofit status.

The remaining corporate board members - anywhere from three to five - have yet to be appointed.

The corporation is being implemented to secure a federal guarantee from the Department of Housing and Urban Development of financing for a new hospital in development west of town.

TMH officials are slated to send off an application to HUD on Monday. A commitment, or preliminary approval, could come from HUD within 30 to 90 days.

Moffat County voters approved a three-mill tax package in November 2007 to fund about 50 percent of the new hospital's estimated $42.6 million cost. The remaining costs will be paid through TMH operating revenue.

The primary responsibility of the Facilities Corporation - the borrower and mortgagor of the new hospital - will be to make lender payments.

Other responsibilities include:

• Approve and execute the site lease, operating lease, loan documents, HUD agreements and other documents necessary for the loan and HUD guarantee.

• Approve and execute, or accept assignment of construction contracts.

• Oversee receipt of funds and make loan payments.

• Oversee loan and HUD compliance.

• File necessary IRS documents.

• Elect subsequent board members, appoint officers and committees.

TMH board members and Moffat County Commissioners are not allowed to sit on the corporation board.

Corrie Ponikvar, chairwoman of the hospital's building committee, said ideal corporate board candidates would have strong backgrounds in business or finance.

TMH officials have a list of 10 names of prospective corporate board candidates, she said, and will begin gauging the interest of those candidates Monday.

TMH's executive committee consisting of TMH board chairman Melton Sullivan, vice chairman Ron Danner and secretary Missy Bonaker will appoint the corporate board members, possibly within the month.

Joshua Roberts can be reached at 875-1791, or jroberts@craigdailypress.com.