HMH Board of Trustees Authorizes $4.7 million Hospital Re-covering, Helipad Updates

The Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) Board of Trustees approved a plan to re-cover a portion of the hospital constructed in 1993. The $4.7 million project also includes a new roof system and the helipad repairs in order to prevent further water damage to the facility and to patient treatment areas.

HMH Assistant Vice President of Operations Steve White said current conditions have reached a critical state and require immediate attention.

“Water regularly penetrates the existing exterior which damages insulation and deteriorates the metal studs in the wall system,” said White. “Without these improvements, water damage will impair our ability to care for patients in this aging area of the hospital.”

White said the roof system is beyond its service life and the helipad structure, used almost daily, has additional renovation needs.

HMH CEO Dennis Johnson said, “This project is a prime example of why we need so much capital. So many of our facilities need significant renovation and the need to purchase and replace equipment never ends. This is just one of the reasons why our Board of Trustees chose Baptist Health to purchase and invest in HMH— to make sure we have the resources to make the substantial improvements patients demand and deserve.”

Johnson emphasized that capital needs far exceed what HMH has available even with strong financial performance during the past five years. “This renovation is just the tip of an iceberg in an ocean of needs,” Johnson said.

White said the first project phase will include the establishment of a temporary ground helipad along Woodland Avenue so that the existing roof can be removed and replaced.

The board also approved the hiring of three new physicians, including two oncologists, who will work at the HMH Cancer Care Center.

“More and more Central Kentuckians are choosing HMH for cancer care,” said Jeff Kingery, Vice President, HMH Medical Group. “We are hiring high-quality physicians to meet the growing demand.”

In other board news:

Palliative Care: John Horvath, RN, HMH Director of Quality, provided an update regarding HMH’s palliative care program. The Palliative Care program includes two dedicated nurses, a social worker, a chaplain and physicians that provide medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of serious illness. Horvath said the ultimate goal of palliative care is to provide patients with expert support and care coordination that enhances their quality of life.

Physician Introduction: HMH Chief Medical Officer John Godfrey introduced the board to Stewart Couch, M.D., a radiologist who is a member of the HMH Medical Group and currently serves as Chair of Radiology on the HMH Medical Executive Committee. Couch also serves on both the multidisciplinary lung and multidisciplinary breast cancer teams, comprised of physicians representing a variety of specialties, who collaborate on the diagnosis and the most effective course of treatment for cancer patients.

Financials: Also at the meeting, Lennis Thompson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, presented the April financial report. Thompson reported a net loss of $779,000. Year to date, HMH is realizing a net profit of over $8 million, more than $3.2 million ahead of plan. Thompson attributed the overall fiscal year 2018 positive financial performance to higher than projected outpatient volumes.

Daisy Award: HMH’s Hilma Voorheis posthumously received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. A patient nominated Voorheis for the exemplary care she provided while the patient was recovering from an operation. The patient encouraged the staff to honor Voorheis not only with the DAISY award but by following her caring example.

Honey Bee Award: Jenna Hornback, a special procedures technologist in diagnostic radiology, received the Honey Bee award for the life-saving diagnostic care she provided a young patient and her thoughtful follow up even after the patient was transferred to Norton Children’s Hospital for treatment.

Ambassadors: Radiation Therapist Mary Ann Squires was named the HMH Ambassador of the Month for May. A patient nominated Squires for the outstanding care she provided and for her caring pleasant nature.