Newton Independent

Skiff ends fiscal year with $4 million loss

By PETER HUSSMANN

Skiff Medical Center Trustees were being informed at today's late morning meeting that the hospital lost more than $4 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, about a $700,000 increase from the loss recorded the fiscal year before.

The statement of operations report provided to Trustees showed the city-owned hospital ending the fiscal year with revenue over expenses totaling a negative $4,012,642 compared to $3,365,368 loss at the end of fiscal year 2009.

For the month of June, Skiff recorded a loss of $497,667, an improvement from the $644,972 loss recorded the month before. The hospital recorded only one profitable month in the past fiscal year, in March when revenues over expenses amounted to approximately $175,000.

Skiff has taken several steps to stem the tide of red ink, including a reduction in force initiative, wage freezes and an internal reorganization. The hospital is also taking active steps to increase patient volumes, including the addition of new doctors to practice at the hospital.

Dr. Dominic Formaro, a general surgeon, started with Skiff this month and Dr. Malini Dandu, a family practice physician specializing in obstetrics is scheduled to start with the Newton Clinic on Aug. 16.

In addition, two other doctors are expressing interest in the Newton community. Dr. Gerald Stanley, a family practitioner currently working in Missouri as part of a program to serve rural/under-served areas, is looking to have his commitment transferred to enable him to join the Newton Clinic. Dr. Ian Munger, a Newton native, is currently in residency in Mason City and considering Newton as a future location for his medicine practice.

Adopted woman returns to Skiff 39 years after her birth

Almost 40 years after being born at Skiff Medical Center, Lisa Pelletier had the opportunity to put her thumb prints on a commemorative birth certificate as CEO Steve Long and Cindy Ahn, a Skiff employee and family friend, look on.

Newton Independent

Editor's Note: The following story first appeared on Thursday in the Skiff Medical Center employee newsletter. It is reprinted with permission. 

A lot of laughs and almost as many tears marked a very special reunion at Skiff Medical Center last Saturday.

Early in the morning on Sept. 23, 1970, a 15-year-old girl from Colfax gave birth at Skiff Medical Center, in the former obstetrics unit that is now home to the Monarch Wing. Until that night, Debra Gregg Wiegand hadn't even known she was pregnant. And because she was unconscious during the delivery, she knew nothing of her child, who was promptly handed over for adoption.

"She never saw the baby," said Cindy Ahn, a Skiff employee and childhood friend of Wiegand. "She didn't even know if it was a boy or a girl."

Fast forward several decades: Ahn and Wiegand, who had lost touch over the years, reconnected on Facebook. As they communicated with one another, the subject of that long-lost baby arose.

"She said she always wondered," Ahn said. "I said, 'Let's start looking.'"

Ahn helped her friend with extensive research online and eventually unearthed the information needed to connect Wiegand with her child: a daughter, Lisa Marie Pelletier.

Wiegand sent a letter to Pelletier which, interestingly enough, arrived in time for the separated mother and daughter to first communicate on May 4, Cindy Ahn's birthday.

The pair, who "couldn't wait" to meet, according to Wiegand, first saw each other face-to-face two weeks later, when Pelletier traveled from Massachusetts to Arizona. This trip was soon followed by another, this time to Skiff so they could visit the location where Wiegand had given birth.

The gathering also included Terry Yoakum, Sr., Pelletier's biological father, himself only a teenager when she was born.

When he first heard from his childhood sweetheart that their child had been found, "I thought it was a joke," Yoakum said. "I thought someone was pranking me."

Meeting her parents after a lifetime apart, Pelletier said she immediately recognized herself in them. Gesturing to her mom, she said, "I'm definitely her baby."

"I knew it the minute I saw her," Wiegand said. "She has my nose, eyes and laugh. She has her dad's smile and dimples."

Pelletier's adopted family, which included a brother, was a military one, so she grew up in places such as France, Germany and Egypt. Upon the loss of her adopted mother in 1990 - followed not too many years by her adopted father's death - she began the search for her biological parents.

"If nothing else, I wanted to tell them both thank you," Pelletier said. "At their ages, so young, they did the right thing in letting me be adopted."

Unbeknownst to Pelletier, her real mother was feeling similar pangs.

"I needed to find her," Wiegand said. "I had a void that needed to be filled."

That void no longer exists, as the mother and daughter now communicate with each other daily and are even considering making arrangements to live in the same state.

"I feel complete for the first time in my life," said Pelletier, who kept hugging her mom, as though they couldn't quite believe she was really there.

In addition to their physical similarities, the women share a sense of humor.

"We should do the Oprah show!" Wiegand declared of their happy reunion.

"And maybe we'll get some free gifts!" Pelletier chimed in.

In addition to touring the place of Pelletier's birth, the family was able to witness as CEO Steve Long presented Pelletier with a commemorative birth certificate, which included her weight and length as a baby, as well as the name of her delivering physician, Dr. Marvin Moles. After Pelletier applied her thumb prints to the document, both she and Wiegand were in tears.

"This is just an amazing story," Long said as he doled out tissues to mother and daughter.

Ahn, close at hand, agreed. "This whole thing did my heart good."

Skiff Auxiliary issues scholarships

Newton Independent

The Skiff Medical Center Auxiliary recently honored the 16 winners of 2010 Auxiliary Scholarships, totaling $10,000. The scholarships, for students pursuing higher education in health-related fields, are awarded on the basis of financial need, academics and professional achievement. Those receiving nursing scholarships were Katelyn Kiehl ($1,000 in honor of Lydia E. Swihart), Kayla Lagergren ($500 in honor of Lois Vogel), Jenna Rickley ($1,000 in honor of Sterling and Maxine Swanger), and Kelsie Van Kooten ($500 in honor of Janet and Joyce Slycord). Those receiving health-related scholarships were Brooke Berkey ($500), Sara Cahill ($500), Sally Campbell ($500), Shelby Damman ($500), Alyssa Hageman ($500 in honor of Geneva Trost), John Isgrig ($500), Cory Keller ($1,000), Leah Norcross ($1,000), Katelyn Van Wyk ($500 in honor of Ronald Ross), Michelle Rabedeaux ($500), Brian Ruggle ($500), and Katie Sparks ($500). Pictured front row, left to right, are Sparks, Van Kooten, Damman, and Kiehl. Back row, left to right, are Ruggle, Isgrig, Norcross, Rabedeaux, Campbell, Cahill, Rickley, and Keller.

Dr. Richardson issues statement on settlement of lawsuit filed against him by former Skiff executives

By PETER HUSSMANN

Attorneys for Dr. Gary Richardson released a statement early this afternoon announcing that the lawsuit filed against him in June 2009 by two former Skiff Medical Center executives has been settled.

"The lawsuit filed against me by Cheryl Ritter and Gena Garber has been resolved through an out-of-court settlement," the statement issued through the law office of Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave of Des Moines states. "The lawsuit and my affirmative defenses are a matter of public record.

"It has become apparent that proceeding further with the litigation could result in disruption to the community, an outcome that all parties wish to avoid. The amount and terms of the settlement are confidential.

"Dr. Richardson will have no further comment."

The Newton Daily News reported the out-of-court settlement in a news story today after receiving a press release from Ritter's and Garber's attorney, Joe Cacciatore of Des Moines. The Newton Independent was not provided a copy of that press release. (Full disclosure: Mr. Cacciatore and I were friends while attending the University of Northern Iowa.)  

Sullivan to serve as interim director of Skiff Home Care and Public Health

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center announced today the appointment of Carolyn Sullivan as interim Director of Skiff Home Care and Jasper County Public Health Nursing Services, effective immediately. Sullivan, while stepping into the position recently vacated by Jennifer Jordan, will continue carrying out her duties as Director of Hospice of Jasper County.

Sullivan previously served as director of all three areas - home care, public health and hospice - from 1991 to 2004 and has been an employee at Skiff since 1976.

The interim position is expected to last six to eight weeks, during which time Skiff will do an internal applicant search to fill the role. Once a candidate has been selected, he or she will receive weekly mentoring by Sullivan, today's press release states. Hospital officials said this "will not only ease the transition into the home care/public health leadership, but also groom the person to eventually run hospice and Skiff's Monarch Wing."

Sullivan has announced her intent to retire in June 2011, at which time a single director will be in place to oversee all three areas of health care service.

"In our ongoing goal to gain efficiencies, we've decided to merge hospice back into a single-entity management structure," said Brett Altman, clinical operations officer. "With the support of team leads for each of the three disciplines, the director will have strong support within a more streamlined arrangement."

Sullivan said she is looking forward to the move.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with my home care and public health colleagues again prior to my retirement next summer," she said.

"We're grateful to Carolyn for her willingness to take on these duties and to share her expertise with the person who will be named to step into the consolidated roles," Altman said.

The position is expected to be posted for current Skiff employees as early as next week.

Skiff to relocate Sports Rehab & Physical Therapy Clinic

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center will close its First Avenue East sports rehabilitation and physical therapy clinic and move it to the lower level of the Ross Medical Arts Building by early August, the city-owned hospital said in a press release Thursday.

The clinic was opened in March 2007 after Skiff purchased the former Hansen Directory building at 1730 1st Ave. E. The clinic is being moved to take advantage of available space in the Ross medical building and provide efficiencies and cost savings to the hospital.

The clinic will maintain its status as an office-based practice, intended for patients with commercial health insurance plans. Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries will continue to utilize Skiff's outpatient rehabilitation services, also located in the lower level of the Ross Medical Arts Building.

"The excellence we provide will be consistent in both locations, with high-quality people, equipment and services," said Matt Scotton, director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Skiff. "We are providing separate settings, both convenient and in close proximity to each other, to ensure we offer our patients financial advantages tailored to their circumstances.

"Health-care reimbursement is in a state of transition," he continued, "and we need to take advantages of opportunities to create efficiencies."

Brett Altman, clinical operations officer, said the move will help pare costs.

"Most expenses come in the form of labor costs," he said. "We can improve in that area by sharing staff and space in the Ross Medical Arts Building."

Skiff's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, massage therapy, sports medicine and audiology. Skiff employs 12 physical therapists with doctorate or master's degrees, one physical therapist assistant and several board-certified specialists.

Plans for the building have not been finalized but hospital officials said they will most likely consider selling the property and investing the the proceeds in capital equipment needs.

Skiff Medical Center unveils new logo

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center has introduced a new logo for the organization, the first in decades and part of its effort to move the organization forward.

"Skiff began evaluating our logo a few months earlier," said CEO Steve Long. "While it has served Skiff well for many years, a number of factors converged this year and convinced us that now was the time for a change."

The previous logo predates modern computer design. It was created 20 to 30 years ago, developed by hand on grid paper, using ink and whiteout.

"The geometric imagery - an abstract 'S' - is angular and stencil-like," said Stephanie Alexander, director of Public Relations and Marketing. "This was very modern at the time it was established, but it does not suggest the warmth or comfort that Skiff's care is known for. In addition, our company color, burgundy, doesn't convey the messages of health and vitality we wish to express."

Another issue facing the organization was that, throughout the years, a large number of dissimilar logos were created for various entities associated with the hospital. Hospice of Jasper County, the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department, and the rural clinics in Baxter, Colfax and Monroe were just a few areas that were not clearly linked to Skiff in their visual promotions.

Skiff, hospital officials said, is following the lead of other companies, like Pepsi, Apple and Nike, who have updated their logos over time to ensure they continue to reflect growth and improvements.

"The decision for a logo change was not just to move away from something dated," Alexander said, "but also to move toward something that represents the new place Skiff is now. This year has marked a fresh beginning for our organization, with new and permanent leadership. There is no better time to show our employees, our physicians, our patients and our community that we are embracing a positive future."

A committee of Skiff employees was created to work closely with artists from local design agency Art a la Carte. The artists presented a variety of designs, which were gradually narrowed down, adjusted and refined. When a final design was selected by the committee, it was moved on to a focus group, and then hospital leadership, board members, employees and physicians.

The logo is comprised of two colors, a sophisticated navy blue and a vibrant leaf-green. The graphic utilizes an abstract "S" - just as the old logo did - "but in a way that also can represent a pathway or a river, moving toward new and great things," Alexander said.

The design offers a flexibility that the previous logo did not, so that designated entities within Skiff will be able to have their own unique, but immediately recognizable, versions of the logo.

"We want to maintain a single, consistent logo," said Vicky Norrish, Quality Control Management Specialist and member of the logo committee. "But we also did not want to squelch the unique identity of our various entities. We worked closely with our artists to ensure the two needs were not mutually exclusive."

The cost of the logo design was a flat fee of $500. In a few cases there will be a small cost involved in the change, including an estimated one-time fee of $25 to $100, to create new printing plates for paper items (envelopes, letterhead, etc.).

"We will not discard perfectly good items just because they feature the old logo," Long said. "Rather, as items are needed - new signs to replace broken ones, business cards for staff who have depleted their supplies, new letterhead, etc. - we will use the new logo. Over time, the old logo will be phased out.

"As we continue our journey to fulfilling our vision as a 'treasured community asset,' this is a sign of the fresh start that is exciting for us all."

Visit www.skiffmed.com to learn more.

Skiff's financials tumble; new compensation program unveiled

By PETER HUSSMANN

Skiff Medical Center's financial condition declined in May with losses from operations jumping ten times what they were the month before.

Skiff trustees attending Wednesday's board meeting were told that the monthly loss from operations was $430,000 in May compared to just a $43,000 loss the month before. The loss was largely attributable to lower volumes.

Year-to-date, losses from operations now top $4 million, with one month to go in the fiscal year. Last year at this point Skiff reported losses of $2.3 million.

The city-owned hospital has seen one profitable month this fiscal year, in March when its operating margin was a positive $400,000.

The board of trustees also approved next fiscal year's $33.7 million operating budget that while including no salary increases for the third straight year, does include a new compensation program where employees have the potential to receive extra compensation payments each quarter up to a maximum of 5 percent of their pay.

In putting next fiscal year's budget, which again forecasts an operational loss but uses very conservative estimates, Skiff's Executive Director Steve Long said the economic realities facing the hospital made it clear that an employee raise would again not be possible. However, he said, Skiff's executive team and directors felt strongly that some sort of pay increase should at least be made possible so came up with the new compensation plan. He noted, in addition, that each employee received a $250 bonus at Memorial Day.

Under the plan, compensation bonuses to employees will be based on the financial results of the hospital at the end of each quarter. If the hospital has a positive operating margin for the quarter, a portion of the margin will be paid out in extra compensation payments to employees.

More specifically, if net operating margin for the quarter is positive and year-to-date net operating margin is also positive, 50 percent of the margin for that quarter will be used to fund the compensation program.

If net operating margin for the most recently completed quarter is positive, but year-to-date net operating margin is negative, 25 percent of the margin for that quarter will be used to fund the compensation program.

If operating margin for the quarter is negative, no funding will be available.

"People are our most important resource," Long said in supporting the compensation plan, with hopes that Skiff's financial situation can improve next fiscal year.

"There is a chance that we could do much better than we think and we have some parts of the year that we are profitable," he said. "If we are fortunate to have positive performance, the board and administration strongly believe that all of our caregivers should benefit."

Skiff's employed physicians and senior leadership team are not eligible for additional payments under the compensation program.

Skiff trustees heard good news on the physician recruiting front.

Dr. Dominic Formaro, a general surgeon, will start with Skiff on July 12 and Dr. Malini Dandu, a family practice physician specializing in obstetrics is scheduled to start with the Newton Clinic on Aug. 16.

In addition, two other doctors are expressing interest in the Newton community. Dr. Gerald Stanley, a family practitioner currently working in Missouri as part of a program to serve rural/under-served areas, is looking to have his commitment transferred to enable him to join the Newton Clinic. Dr. Ian Munger, a Newton native, is currently in residency in Mason City and considering Newton as a future location for his medicine practice.

New family practice physician, specializing in obstetrics, to join Newton Clinic

Newton Independent

A new family practice physician, Malini Dandu, M.D., has an accepted an offer to join the Newton Clinic, local health care officials announced late Thursday.

Dr. Dandu is currently finishing a fellowship in obstetrics in San Jose, Calif. She completed her family medicine residency at the University of Illinois in Chicago, where she served as chief resident.

"We are excited about Dr. Dandu's decision to practice medicine in Newton," said clinic administrator Mark Thayer. "She is highly trained, having spent the past eight months doing a fellowship in high-risk obstetrics, including Cesarean sections. Her addition will greatly solidify the obstetrical services provided by Newton Clinic and Skiff Medical Center."

Skiff CEO Steve Long praised the addition of the new physician as part of Skiff's plan to provide local high-quality care.

"The recruitment of this top-notch physician is another step toward fulfilling our commitment to providing local access to the highest quality obstetrical care to residents of Jasper County," he said.

Dr. Dandu is certified by the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and also in the areas of advanced life support in obstetrics, advanced trauma life support and advanced cardiac life support. She graduated medical school with honors and has been involved in the World Health Organization's measles eradication program and the National Pulse Polio Immunization Program.

Future colleagues at the Newton Clinic are looking forward to her arrival, which is expected in mid-August.

"Dr. Dandu is extraordinarily well trained," said Dr. Leighton Frost. "She's known as a hard worker and good listener, and for being very well liked by her colleagues. We're eager to have her come to Newton."

Administration and staff at the clinic and hospital believe that, in addition to her technical skills, Dr. Dandu "has a winning personality that will appeal to those seeking health care."

"Her demeanor was an immediate hit with all of us," Thayer said. "Patients will find Dr. Dandu to be intelligent, friendly and compassionate."

"She is soft-spoken and listens well," said Dr. Steve Hill. "She will be well received by expectant moms."

A native of India, she attended Ambedkar Medical College. Her husband worked as a general surgeon in India and intends to resume his medical practice in Iowa.

For more information, go to www.newtonclinic.com and www.skiffmed.com

Skiff employees asked to donate to hospital's foundation to help with equipment purchases

By PETER HUSSMANN

Employees at Skiff Medical Center today are being asked to consider donating a small portion of their bi-weekly paychecks to the hospital's foundation to help its efforts at purchasing hospital equipment and its support for patient services.

In a note from Foundation Director Bruce Hoffmeier alerting employees to the inclusion of the donation form with this week's paycheck, he said the goal is to get approximately 300 employees - about 80 percent of the hospital's total staff - to donate a minimum of $3 per pay period.

"If we can reach that goal, in one year, we would have accumulated around $23,000 which would really help in our purchases," the note said. "It's incredible how a small contribution from each of us grows to such a large amount when we work as a team.

Late last month, CEO Steve Long told employees investment in the hospital's equipment needs is vital to ensure long-term growth.

"In order to grow volume and margin, we will need to invest," he said in his weekly letter to employees. "We will need to invest in replacing equipment that is worn out or technologically inferior and in bringing new technology in.

"Please know, much of our equipment is state-of-the-art ..., but some strategically important pieces are not. With this in mind, here's a question you may ask: 'If we are losing money, how can we afford to dig into our reserves to get new equipment?' I think the answer is simple ... we can't afford not to. The longer we wait to replace key pieces of equipment, the farther behind we fall and the more difficult it will be to recruit new physicians, the harder it will be to convince patients to come to Skiff rather than going to a competitor, and the harder it will be to remain successful over the long term."

Skiff employees had their salaries frozen this fiscal year, a situation Long hinted might continue into the next.

"The hard fact is that we need to create a stable, more positive, bottom-line before we look at significant increases in our operating expenses," his memo to staff notes. "How long will it be before we can begin to consider wage increases? I would be lying if I tried to give you a date. What I can say is that we need several more months under our belts until we will be able to answer this question honestly."

Skiff Medical Center records operational loss in April

By PETER HUSSMANN

Skiff Medical Center once again saw red ink - though just barely - in its April financial statement, board members were told during this morning's monthly meeting.

The hospital recorded a loss of $43,521 in revenues from operations last month, a swing from the $174,000 in profit recorded in March, the first profitable month the city-owned hospital has recorded since instituting a reduction in force initiative last year and an internal reorganization at the start of the year.

Year-to-date, the hospital has recorded a $3.6 million loss from operations, the financial statements indicate. At this point in the previous fiscal year, losses were $1.9 million.

Statistical reports included with the financial statements show Skiff had a 13 percent drop in total patient days in April compared to the year before and a 5.6 percent decrease in outpatient visits. Total patients days are down 10.8 percent year-to-date compared to last year with outpatient visits down 4.9 percent.

Skiff adopts new medical staff policies dealing with doctors convicted on felony health care charges

By PETER HUSSMANN

A local doctor's conviction on 31 counts of federal health care fraud has led to revisions being made to Skiff Medical Center's by-laws on medical staff membership.

In January, Dr. Angel Martin of Newton was found guilty by a jury on all charges brought against him by federal prosecutors following his indictment last year by a grand jury.

The changes approved by Skiff's Board of Directors on Wednesday call for an "automatic relinquishment of a Practitioner's Medical Staff membership and all clinical privileges" in the event a doctor with hospital privileges "is convicted of any felony related to the provision of health care; any crime related to health care fraud and abuse; any crime related to the Practitioner's treatment, discharge, billing, collection, or utilization practices; or any crime that could form the basis for exclusion from participation in governmental health care programs."

Individuals whose medical staff memberships have been automatically relinquished are not entitled to procedural rights as set out in the by-laws.

Earlier this year, Dr. Martin voluntarily relinquished his medical privileges with the hospital. Since he voluntarily pulled his medical staff membership, the provisions adopted by the Skiff board on Wednesday do not directly apply to him.

Dr. Martin was convicted of health care fraud for "upcoding" surgical consultations.

Lawyers for the Newton doctor have filed motions with the court asking that he be acquitted of the charges and that grounds exist for a new trial because "there was insufficient evidence for a rational jury to find beyond reasonable doubt that all of the elements of the charged offenses were established."

The court has granted an extension to the prosecutors to file a response to the defense motions.

Local couple funds life-saving defibrillator

 

Newton Independent

Doyle and Louise Churchill, long-time residents of Newton, have provided a donation to the Skiff Medical Center Foundation that will be used to fund the purchase of a defibrillator for Skiff Medical Center.

The device is used to treat urgent, life-threatening heart conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation.

"The Lord and the community have been good to us over the years," said Mr. Churchill, pictured above right. "This is a token in return."

"We are so appreciative of the kind and giving nature of the Churchills and others like them," said Bruce Hoffmeier, pictured above left, foundation president. "All of the donations we receive go directly toward equipment, supplies, scholarships and other items that help Skiff carry out its mission and vision.

For more information on the Foundation, call 641-791-4887 or e-mail bhoffmeier@skiffmed.com

Skiff turns a profit in March

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center turned a profit in March, the first since implementing a reduction in force initiative last year and a new organizational structure in February.

The city-owned hospital reported revenues over expenses from operations of $173,670 last month, compared to losses in the previous two months totaling more than $850,000.

In March 2009, Skiff reported a loss of $91,435.

While Skiff was able to stem the flow of red ink in March, it's fiscal year-to-date financials show a loss of more than $3.6 million. Through the same period in 2009, losses stood at $1.7 million.

The hospital reported increases in both surgeries and emergency room visits compared to the same period the year before.

The Skiff hospital board was meeting late this morning.

Three former Skiff CEOs named as expert witnesses in defamation lawsuit against Newton doctor

By PETER HUSSMANN

Three former administrators at Skiff Medical Center have been named as expert witnesses in the defamation lawsuit brought against a local doctor by two former hospital executives who claim he was involved in a smear campaign in an effort to get them fired from their positions at the city-owned hospital.

Cheryl Ritter, the former vice president and chief financial officer at Skiff, and Gena Garber, the former director of human resources at the hospital, filed suit last June against Dr. Gary Richardson alleging he "engaged in an effort to harm the professional reputations" of both women.

On Tuesday, the Des Moines attorney for the two former Skiff executives filed a designation of expert witnesses list that includes former Skiff chief executive officers Eric Lothe, Kris Baumgart and Francie Jahn.

The lawsuit claims Dr. Richardson's "malicious acts and statements ... created an environment where it became impossible for (Ritter and Garber) to effectively perform their respective duties at Skiff, causing their resignations in March of 2009."

In making the claim of Dr. Richardson's malicious activity, the suit notes a February 2009 letter to the editor in The Newton Daily News where Dr. Richardson states "(T)he two executives - the chief financial officer and the human resources director - have taken over the culture of Skiff. You ask nearly any physician or employee, these two are responsible for the declining employee morale, bloated management staff, constant conflicts with physicians, and poor financial performance of the hospital. Many physicians and employees have called for the dismissal of these two former Maytag managers, without satisfaction."

The suit goes on to note a comment attributed to Dr. Richardson in the Newton Independent where he allegedly says "(T)he problems can all be traced back to the CFO and HR director. Until this is recognized and dealt with Skiff will not be able to move forward and succeed."

The two former Skiff executives also claim Dr. Richardson, who was elected to the hospital's board of directors in a city-wide election last November, "falsely and unfairly criticized the performance" of Ritter and Garber "and/or called for the termination of their employment with the hospital" at Skiff executive committee meetings and in private and public meetings of Skiff employees and members of the general public.

"Richardson's statements as described above were libelous per se because such statements falsely attacked Cheryl Ritter's and Gena Garber's competence and skill in the occupations in which each of them earned their living," the lawsuit states in claiming damages for defamation and interference with their contractual relationship with Skiff. "Richardson's statements... also falsely attacked the integrity and moral character of Cheryl Ritter and Gena Garber."

In designating the former Skiff administrators as expert witnesses, the attorney for the women says each "will testify regarding the organizational structure of Skiff, the hosptial's financial performance, employee morale, and issues related to physicians, the job performace of the Plaintiffs, the cause of financial and other problems at Skiff, and other issues that may arise."

John Bartello, head of security at Skiff, will also be called as an expert witness to "testify regarding the investigation surrounding the anonymous posting of published comments pertaining to the Plaintiffs on an employee bulletin board at Skiff Medical Center."

Additional expert witnesses include Mark Wackerbarth, a CPA with Denman & Company in Des Moines, who will testify relating to Ritter's performance as chief financial officer at Skiff; Dr. Wayne Newkirk, an economist who will testify regarding the economic losses sustained by the Plaintiffs; Judy Spigle, a representative of Press Ganey who will testify concerning employee and physician "perspective surveys" peformed at the hospital; and Greg Paris, chief executive officer of Monroe County Hospital in Albia who will testify regarding the progress Skiff made in his work as a Professional Rural Partner Coach for the Studer Group and "the positive contributions of the Plaintiffs to Skiff."

Lawyers for Dr. Richardson are asserting a number of affirmative defenses, a move where the defendant must show the allegations of the plaintiff are essentially proven.

In addition, lawyers for Dr. Richardson are asserting that Ritter and Garber are "public figures," a situation where the plaintiffs must show that Dr. Richardson operated with knowledge that the information was false or that he acted with "reckless disregard" of the truth.

A three- to four-day jury trial has been scheduled in Jasper County District Court for Oct. 26, 2010.

Scotton new director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Skiff

Newton Independent

Matt Scotton has been named the new Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Skiff Medical Center.

The announcement was made today in the hospital's employee newsletter. He assumes the post previously held by Brett Altman, who was appointed to the newly created position of Clinical Operations Officer for the hospital.

Scotton has been with Skiff Medical Center for more than 15 years and served as the department's lead therapist for more than eight years.

"These eight years have allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge and experience in management," Scotton said. "Brett was an excellent mentor and we shared a lot of the leadership duties. And during the time Brett was serving as interim administrator, prior to Steve Long's arrival, I was responsible for the daily operations in our department. All of this has helped to make this a fairly seamless transition.

Scotton oversees a team of 11 physical therapists, two physical therapy assistants, an occupational therapist, an audiologist, two speech therapists, two secretary-receptionists and a massage therapist.

Skiff celebrates Doctors' Day

Newton Independent

On Tuesday, Skiff Medical Center celebrated Doctors' Day by honoring the 20-plus physicians who make up the hospital's active medical staff. Members of the hospital leadership team each volunteered to personally provide a specific doctor with a handwritten note of thanks for what he or she does, along with a customized basket of homemade goods created by Skiff's Nutrition Services and Wellness team. Pictured above, Skiff Foundation Director Bruce Hoffmeier presents a card and treats to Dr. Paul Ruggle of Newton Clinic.

Skiff slows flow of red ink

By PETER HUSSMANN

Skiff Medical Center slowed its losses from operations last month but still has accummulated $1 million more red ink in the first eight months of this fiscal year compared to all of last year.

Skiff's trustees were told at today's board meeting that the city-owned hospital saw a $248,628 loss from operations in February, down significantly from the $611,000 it lost the month before.

Year-to-date, the hospital has seen losses from operations totaling more than $3.7 million. Last fiscal year Skiff reported operational losses of $2.7 million.

Earlier this month, Skiff announced a new organizational structure designed to streamline its operations. As part of the revamped structure, a number of current hospital employees were placed in leadership positions previously held by consultants representing the B.E. Smith firm.

Skiff unveils the latest in infant security systems

Newton Independent

A new state-of-the-art infant security system recently went live at Skiff Medical Center's Obstetrics Department, hospital officials announced in a recent release.

The United Hospital Hugs Infant Security System, approved for purchase by the Skiff board of trustees in December, was installed last month and went live during the first week of March.

Designed to prevent infant abductions, the system utilizes a "Hugs" radio transmitter tag contained in a small casing that is attached to the baby using a tamper-proof strap. The tag is put on within minutes of the baby's birth, as soon as doctors and nurses determine both mother and baby are stable and doing well.

The system features skin-sensitive technology that activates as soon as the band is placed on the baby. If the band is cut, removed or tampered with, alarms sound to alert staff and the unit goes into lockdown status.

Skiff has used electronic security systems in its obstetrics unit since 1998. The old system, while still operable, had become dated with technical support no longer available.

"It was perfectly functional and all of our babies were protected," said interim OB Director Nancy Burke, an employee of the consulting firm B.E. Smith. "But if something had stopped working, it could no longer be fixed. So this was the right time to act."

Skiff announces new leadership, organizational structure

Newton Independent

Following a year of internal turmoil, administrative turnover and interim management, Skiff Medical Center has announced permanent leadership plans for the city-owned hospital, as well as a streamlined organizational chart.

For a great part of 2009, Skiff saw a number of leadership positions filled on an interim basis by employees of a Kansas-based consulting firm, B.E. Smith. When its contracted service period ended earlier this year, a number of those positions were taken on by Skiff employees in an interim capacity.

On Tuesday, Skiff CEO Steve Long announced that save for the Chief Nursing Officer position, all those leadership roles have now been filled internally.

"At Skiff, we have hundreds of people doing thousands of different tasks every day," Long said, "but all with the same goal in mind - taking great care of our patients. When operations are organized, things run flawlessly. But sometimes they get out of kilter. Key people leaven, new services are added, or the world just plain changes around us."

The jobs and individuals involved are as follows:

• Chief Nursing Officer - Mary Swoboda, currently serving as Chief Nurse Executive at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers, Wis. will join Skiff as CNO on April 26. She will oversee the full gamut of patient care services. CEO Long, before his arrival at Skiff in January, worked with Swoboda at the Aurora Medical Center.
• Clinical Operations Officer - Brett Altman assumes this newly created position that will oversee clinical services, including home care, public health, occupational health, rehabilitation, cardiac rehab, physician clinics, rural clinics, the Skiff Specialty Clinic, marketing and public relations and the Skiff Auxiliary. Altman, who served as interim CEO in the two month's prior to Long's arrival, will leave his current position as Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. That position will be filled internally by an individual yet to be determined.
• Chief Financial Officer - Controller Mike Anderson, currently serving as interim CFO, will assume the position permanently. He will oversee accounting and payroll, the business office, materials management and laundry, clinical information services and data analysis.
• Human Resources Director - Ellen Graber, serving as interim HR Director since late December, has been named permanent department director.
• Obstetrics Director - Ann Polking, who will continue as interim CNO until Swoboda's arrival in late April, will continue as the permanent OR Director and assume the role OB Director at the end of March. B.E. Smith's Nancy Burke has held the position since last June. Polking will also oversee the areas of quality management, infection control, education and risk management on an interim basis.
• Public Relations Director - PR Specialist Stephanie Alexander, who has overseen the department since early November, has been named permanent PR Director.
• Clinic Information Services Director - Janice Balmer, previously the director of health information services, will now oversee the combined services of HIM, electronic medical records and IT/telecommunications infrastructures. These functions will be managed by Deb Drewis, Dianna Machin and Jim McVey, respectively.
• Financial Analyst - Karri Woody, previously in a clinical function, will assume this role. The job, in part, will replace the position of controller, which will no longer exist.

"We are all ready to move forward," Altman said. "We are going to from very good to very great by utilizing the ideas, input and leadership of the people at Skiff. I look forward to growing together and learning from each other personally and professionally."