HMH Board of Trustees convenes for last HMH Board meeting
Board thanks HMH physicians, celebrates system's history
ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (August 18, 2020) – The Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) Board of Trustees met for the final time on Tuesday. The Board of Trustees, comprised of the Hardin County Judge/Executive and Hardin County magistrates, provided leadership to HMH since it was founded 66 years ago.
HMH President and CEO Dennis Johnson praised the Board for their altruistic leadership.
“Your strong leadership led to HMH’s tremendous growth over the last 10 years,” Johnson said. “I want to emphasize and make clear that this Board never let politics guide their decisions. These men and women made decisions based on the best interests of patients – not only patients from Hardin County, but also those who live in the other nine counties in the HMH service area.”
Johnson also commended the Board’s willingness to take risks and explore the possibility of merging with a larger healthcare system even when it meant many would give up board leadership.
“We as Hardin County leaders had the unique opportunity to influence and grow our county-owned hospital and to celebrate countless successes over the last 66 years,” said Hardin County Judge/Executive and HMH Board Chairman Harry L. Berry. “HMH’s success comes because of its people and its culture. That is what makes HMH so special. When the name changes, Baptist Health Hardin (BHH) will still have these special people and this special culture.”
“Our entire region has prospered because of HMH’s growth,” said Garry King, HMH board member and Hardin County magistrate. “We have made some important decisions to keep HMH strong and we have come a long way. I know selling to Baptist Health is the best option to ensure we can keep giving Central Kentucky citizens the care they deserve.”
“This last HMH Board of Trustees meeting is bittersweet,” said Fred Clem, HMH board member and Hardin County magistrate. “I feel very blessed to have been a part of the Board and to have had a small hand in Hardin Memorial Health’s leadership over the last 10 years. Generations to come will have even more access to quality healthcare. Great days are ahead for the patients and staff as Baptist Health Hardin.”
Baptist Health will acquire HMH on September 1, 2020. At that point, BHH will be managed by a newly established advisory board.
In other business, HMH Interim Chief Financial Officer Pam Gallagher shared the financial report for the 2019 – 2020 fiscal year ending August 31-reported thru July 31. The 13-month report showed revenue of $11.4 million resulting largely from a $26 million infusion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Gallagher noted that the federal funding was essential to help HMH weather sharply declining revenues and dramatically increased expenses due to the pandemic.
“There were many bleak financial times at COVID-19’s beginning, but Dennis Johnson and HMH employees stepped up and made quick changes that allowed the system to fare far better than most,” Gallagher said. “HMH reports strong financial performance today because of the tenacity of HMH leaders. Employees took pay cuts, reduced their hours or furloughed completely. Because of these sacrifices, we are able to continue to care for Central Kentucky patients when other hospitals are shutting their doors.”
In Other Board News:
Ashleigh Mouser, Clinical Coordinator for HMH Pharmacy, was named the July Ambassador of the Month. A co-worker nominated Mouser for her commitment to patient safety. This includes initiating the Antimicrobial Stewardship and the Anticoagulation Monitoring committees and implementing recommendations from these committees.
Laboratory Administrative Specialist Christy Bailey was named August Ambassador of the Month. Bailey always looks for ways to help patients. She also committed to training and supporting her co-workers in the lab.