HMH Board of Trustees approves hiring of specialists, diagnostic equipment purchase
HMH touts successful recruitment, retention, employee wellness efforts
Elizabethtown, Ky. – The Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) Board of Trustees today approved the hiring of two new specialists, a neurosurgeon and cardiologist, who will join the HMH medical group later this year. Barrett Brown, M.D. will join HMH Medical Group Neurosciences and Matthew Keith, M.D., Ph.D. will join HMH’s Central Cardiology Associates. The board also approved the nearly $800,000 purchase of a new digital X-ray unit and CT scanner for HMH’s Elizabethtown Diagnostic and Imaging facility.
The hirings and equipment investments come on the heels of the $15 million investment in the recently completed expansion of the HMH Emergency Department. The new entrance and lobby is scheduled to open to patients later this week.
HMH President and CEO Dennis Johnson said all the additions will help HMH meet the healthcare needs of a growing region.
“Our strategy calls for investment in physicians, facilities and services,” said Johnson. “The amount of capital that takes is tremendous and is precisely why we need a strong strategic partner to help with resources and expertise.”
HMH Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer Myra Covault echoed Johnson’s sentiment about the importance of investing in HMH employees. Covault provided the board with an annual update on employee recruitment, retention and wellness efforts. She highlighted HMH’s 2017 low turnover rate and strong recruitment efforts.
Covault said the HMH turnover rate for registered nurses is just 6.4 percent and even lower when moves and retirements are considered. Additionally, in 2017 the HR team saw a 6 percent increase in applications. She attributed recruiting and retention success in part to the HMH Advance Program available for HMH employees to pursue fully funded nursing education.
“Whether it is an associate degree in nursing, becoming a registered nurse or earning a bachelor’s of science in nursing, HMH offers advancement opportunities galore to our employees,” said Covault. “This helps develop employee loyalty, and the improved skills our team develops means better care for patients.”
Covault thanked the regional education partners supporting these programs – Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Western Kentucky University and McKendree University.
The board also lauded HMH’s Greg Rovinski, Assistant Vice President for Patient Care Services. Rovinski will retire later this month after 32 years of HMH service. Under Greg’s leadership, HMH surgical services and endoscopy have seen tremendous growth.
Johnson called Rovinski a highly respected and warmly regarded healthcare administrator who made a lasting impact on HMH employees and the people for whom they care.
In other Board news
Financials - The Board also approved financial reports for November and December. Through the end of 2017, HMH has an operating income of $5.2 million compared to a projected $336,000, putting it nearly $4 million ahead of plan. HMH Chief Financial Officer Lennis Thompson pointed to higher than projected outpatient volumes as a major factor in HMH’s positive financial performance.
Ambassadors - Palliative Care Manager Amy Clemons and MRI technician Victoria Booker were named HMH Ambassadors of the month for December. Marva Francis was named the January HMH Ambassador of the Month. Patients and co-workers recognized all of them for their caring nature and dedicated support.
Daisy Award - HMH’s Cynthia Shults was recently recognized with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. A patient for whom she cared nominated the 4 North Tower nurse. The patient cited Shults’ exceptional care and compassion.