Melissa Memorial Hospital still has COVID-19 vaccines available

COVID-19 vaccines are still up for grabs at Melissa Memorial Hospital.

East Phillips County Hospital District board members heard an update on the vaccine program at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, July 27.

The hospital is attempting to administer its remaining vaccines before they expire in October. It’s been a slow process though, with only 10-20 people being vaccinated every couple of weeks at this point. As the expiration date creeps closer, MMH will evaluate whether they can use the vaccines locally or if they need to hand them off to another facility elsewhere.

Jennifer Cano, director of nursing, said MMH recently had to waste its first vaccines after there were some cancellations at a vaccine clinic. Once a vial, which is stored at super cold temperatures, has been thawed, all of the doses must be used or thrown out within 12 hours.

When people were scrambling for the vaccine earlier in the year, it was a big no-no to waste any of it. That philosophy has shifted — vaccine access increased, demand decreased, and across the country facilities are doing whatever they can to get more people vaccinated.

Cano said she doesn’t think MMH will order any more vaccines, although there’s a possibility it could be available locally through the pharmacy or clinic in the future.

MMH is offering the two-shot Moderna vaccine, and all adults over the age of 18 are eligible for it. There is no cost to those who would like the vaccine.

To be put on the list, fill out the online form at http://melissamemorial.org/5567-2.html or call MMH at 970-854-2241 or Family Practice of Holyoke at 970-854-2500. Those on the list will receive a call to set up an appointment to get the vaccine.

Although it’s controversial in medical facilities and other businesses across the country, MMH has left the COVID-19 vaccine as a voluntary option for its staff members.

Staff, patients and visitors at MMH must wear a mask in the building if they are not fully vaccinated. MMH continues to screen people as they enter the facility, but they do not ask for proof of vaccination.

According to the Aug. 2 Northeast Colorado Health Department online update, 1,835 Phillips County residents have been fully vaccinated.

Child care initiative keeps the wheels turning

Tuesday’s meeting included a presentation by Trisha Herman, project coordinator/executive director of the Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative.

The longtime dream to build a child care center in Holyoke has made huge progress in recent months, and Herman updated the board with the good news.

The hospital district donated land — one city block — north of MMH for the project. Locally raised donations, including the land value, amount to $1.2 million, which is half of the $2.4 million budget.

By having 50% pledged to the child care facility, it allows HCCI to apply for more grants. Herman said she hopes to have $500,000 in grants secured by the end of the year in addition to a $500,000 Energy Impact Grant from the Department of Local Affairs.

In 2022, HCCI plans to ask the community to help them raise the last $200,000 to build the child care facility and support initial operations. She expects more people will be excited about pledging funds once the project is closer to groundbreaking, which is roughly scheduled for the fall of 2022. If everything goes according to plan, it could open in the second half of 2023.

Herman noted that once the facility is built, there are an abundance of grants available to furnish the inside of the building.

She reminded the board that the project qualifies for a tax credit program. Taxpayers who make a qualifying contribution to promote child care in Colorado may claim an income tax credit of 50% of the total qualifying contribution.

“It takes a village, and I think we’re all in it together,” said Herman.

Loss reported for June financials

In the financial report for June, Chief Financial Officer David Applewood said total revenue was roughly $1.7 million, total expenses were $1.7 million and net income was a loss of $31,900.

Year-to-date total revenue was $12.2 million, and year-to-date net income was a loss of $24,000 without taking into account the funds from Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness.

Applewood also took the board through a quick review of some areas where the organization is over budget as well as the ways MMH spent $1.8 million of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds, which was approved at the June 22 meeting.

Other business

In other business at the July 27 meeting, the board:

— Heard an administrator’s report from CEO Cathy Harshbarger regarding a new vision statement; measurable goals for each department; and strategic priorities for the categories of people, quality, finances, community, growth and partnerships.

— Approved the new vision statement.

— Approved a bonus for Harshbarger, who met 98% of her goal criteria in financials, patient experience, quality measures, clinic quality, appointment availability and employee satisfaction.

— Reviewed Policy 2.4 regarding treatment of staff, Policy 1.3 regarding recognition for quality, Policy 2.6 regarding asset protection and Governance Policy 3.0 regarding governance-management connection.

— Approved credentialing for two reappointments.

— Heard a Quality Committee report from Jennifer Cano. New Director of Quality Karen Hooker was also introduced.

— Held a five-minute executive session for personnel reasons.