FAIRBURY – The Jefferson Community Health Center Board of Directors held the organization’s annual membership meeting for fiscal 2016 on Monday, Jan. 9.
Two new board members were elected: Trevor Steinmeyer of Fairbury, who works at Ol’ Red 99.5, and Sheri Schultis of Diller, who works at ESU 5. Steinmeyer was elected to fill the position which had been held by Dick Hoppe for eight years. Board members may serve up to two consecutive four-year terms. Schultis will finish the unexpired term of Carmen Hinman, who had served two years and resigned because of other responsibilities. Steinmeyer and Schultis were elected unanimously by the corporation members at the annual meeting.
Hoppe, 2016 board chairman, thanked the administration, staff, board members, and physicians for their work to make the year successful. Hoppe, is going off the board after serving two full terms and six years as president told the board, physicians, administration and staff to “Keep up the good work.”
Hoppe said a major project for the year was the purchase of the Fairbury Clinic. He said administration and the board of directors continue to look for opportunities to address the healthcare needs in our community.
Chad Jurgens, chief executive officer, had sent a report of the year’s activities to all members of the corporation. Anyone who has donated $100 to Jefferson Community Health Center is a member of the private not-for-profit corporation.
Jurgens also highlighted the purchase of the Fairbury Clinic as a major strategic initiative achieved in 2016. He said this opens up opportunities for Jefferson Community Health Center which should make for an exciting 2017.
During 2016, JCHC earned the Star Level of the Nebraska Safety Council’s Workplace Safety awards, and Gardenside long-term care was again recognized with a 5-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Chance Klasek, chief financial officer, said that while fiscal 2016 was the biggest year in JCHC’s history for revenue, expenses were also the highest ever. For the fiscal year, JCHC reported a 1 percent operating margin. He noted that hospital patient days increased in 2016 from patient days in 2015, and said it was the first year for an increase in hospital patient days since 2007.
“Jefferson Community Health Center is sound financially and operationally,” Hoppe said.
At the regular board meeting which followed the annual meeting, officers were elected for 2017. Officers are: Brian Scheele, chairman; Mary Glenn, vice chairman; and Brian Blobaum, secretary-treasurer.
FAIRBURY – Beau James Warnke is the New Year’s Baby at Jefferson Community Health Center for 2017.