Dr. Albert Krueger Honored by RMHP

Meeker, Colorado—August 20, 2007—August 17, 2007, the Pioneers Medical Center Board of Directors met for their monthly board meeting. Dr. Victor Mihal, PMC Chief of Staff, reported that Rocky Mountain Health Plans is honoring Dr. Albert Krueger, PMC Medical Director, and the Meeker Family Health Center staff, for “Accomplishments in Providing Medical Care.” A special recognition lunch is scheduled for August 22, 2007.

Dr. Krueger reported on plans to expand general surgery coverage at Pioneers Medical Center in the near future, noting that PMC’s Surgery Department provides a variety of outpatient surgical and medical procedures to patients in our service area.

The PMC Board reviewed plans for implementing the Tobacco Free Campus Initiative, consistent with PMC’s mission to support health and well-being through a series of healthy lifestyle initiatives. The program includes educating our workplace and the Meeker area on medical and lifestyle-related risks, and offering solutions and programs to improve health. The Board of Directors has approved a policy that will begin in September with education and communications, and full implementation is expected by January 1, 2008. As of next January, no tobacco use of any kind will be permitted—inside or outside—on the PMC campus. Hospital patients, Walbridge Wing residents, and employees will be offered education such as “Smoking Cessation,” and services such as nicotine replacement therapy. “The tobacco-free campus initiative is a concrete way of demonstrating our ongoing commitment to healthy living, said Kris Borchard, President, PMC Board of Directors. “We are excited to join with other community leaders, and ask the community for their support of this initiative.”

Progress is being made to launch the Piceance Creek Clinic this September. “ We are finalizing the details, and are excited to provide this service to the local community and workforce in the Piceance area,” reported Albert Krueger, M.D., PMC Medical Director.

The Board of Directors reviewed plans to finance several strategic projects. The Information Technology & Electronic Medical Records Futures Program has received over $700,000 in grant awards to date. Implementation of the program will begin in the first quarter of 2008. Additionally, PMC is implementing a program to update the Computed Tomography (CT) imaging technology offered in the PMC Radiology department.

A report was provided by Tom Allen, a member of the Board, regarding his attendance at a recent governance seminar presented by Quorum Health Resources. The seminar included topics such as Board roles and responsibilities, and proposals for healthcare reform.

The Board of Directors authorized expenditures and accounts payable disbursements for the month of August.

The Board meetings of the Eastern Rio Blanco County Health Service District (PMC Board of Directors) are held the third Thursday of each month at PMC, starting at 6:00p.m. The next meeting of the PMC Board of Trustees will be Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 6:00 p.m