THE GALLIPOLIS ROTARY CLUB BLOG

Attending:  Deb Rhodes, Bob Hood, Cleeland Willis, Marlin Rose, Brett Boothe, Jim Morrison, Shawn Siders, Jodie Anderson, Kurt Dailey, Gordon Amsbary, Resty Alonzo, Mel Simon, Emily Dailey, Matt Willis, James Wellington, Bonnie McFarland, Kevin Petrie, Dan Whiteley, Lou Ellen Werry, Debbie Saunders. 

Guests Attending: Brent Saunders, Amber Johnson, Ashley Fisher, Liz Regal (Gallipolis Daily Tribune).

President Bonnie McFarland opened the regular meeting of the Gallipolis Rotary Club.  We had many guests this morning so our meeting was in a different order.  First, Bonnie presented a certificate to Shawn Siders, for his program at last week’s meeting.  Bonnie also presented several donation checks.  Amber Johnson from Holzer Hospice received a check donation towards the Softball Tournament in September.  She mentioned that are still in need of chips, candy bars, etc. for the tournament if anyone would like to donate.

Bonnie also presented  a check to Ashley Fisher from the Holzer Center for Cancer Care for the Backpack program.  Bonnie reminded the club it was one of our goals from the DG’s visit to better serve the community in nutrition.

Resty Alonzo accepted a check donation for the sidewalk repair at the Senior Citizen’s Center.  Shirley Doss was in Alaska, so apparently she couldn’t make it back in time for our morning meeting!

Bonnie also presented Mel Simon, founder of the French 500 Free Clinic a $500 donation from our club.

Our Sargeant In Arms, Kurt Dailey, informed the club of a “Happy Buck”.  He was very proud to say that his company, Supresta, had extra donation dollars and has spent it on various projects that he learned from Rotary programs such as $1000 donation to the French 500 Free Clinic and a hog at the fair.  Kurt asked that we keep the great presentations & programs coming each and every meeting!

Spit the Pot – Bonnie won the meeting’s Split the Pot.  The small pot was only $6 and the large pot was $136.  She donated her winnings of $6 to the Holzer Hospice Softball Tournament.  Her fine of $1 was directed at anyone that did not hit a deer or get stopped for speeding on the way into work…Bonnie sure has the luck!

Fellowship – Emily Dailey reminded us that we missed a birthday on August 6 for James Wellington!  James’ chose the whole club to sing to him.  Emily also mentioned that it was Grae Schuster’s birthday (not present), along with Robert Redford, Christian Slater, and Patrick Swayze.  I would say Grae’s in good company!  Emily also provided us a thought provoking quote, “By the time you make ends meet, the ends move!”

Program – Kevin Petrie introduced Brent Saunders as our speaker.  Brent is the newly elected President and CEO of Holzer Consolidated Health Systems.  Brent is a past member & president of the Gallipolis Rotary Club and resides with his wife, Shawn, in Gallipolis.

Brent explained that last May, talks of a potential merger between Holzer Clinic & Holzer Hospital started and was voted for recently.  He reported that all documents are completed, however, they are still in need of an approval of Non-Profit status from the Attorney General.  Mr. Saunders also reported that they are still seeking financing, which has proven to be difficult given the economic times.  He mentioned applying to HUD for financing in 6-8 months.

Mr. Saunders reported that after the merger, there would be a Board of Directors of 10 community members, 6 physicians, and 1 full-time community members.  Under the Board of Directors, a Board of Governors, comprised of physicians, would carry out the day to day operations of the hospital.

Mr. Saunders thought that patient care would be excellent and he would strive for no one to lose their employment status after the merger.  His goal for September 1, 2009 is to combine the ambulatory surgery departments, in order to get a higher reimbursement from medicare/medicaid.

Holzer’s goals for the future include growing Long Term Care and Hospice.   Next year, Holzer celebrates its 100 year anniversary.

Mel Simon commented that when he worked with Dr. Holzer years ago, it was his wish that this merger would take place in the future.  Bonnie McFarland wished Mr. Saunders all the best.

Relay for Life – Dan Whitely announced that in order to raise funds for the Relay for Life, he thought it would be a great idea if Rotarians could donate some of their “yard sale items” to take to the Middleport auction.  Dan will pick them up if you have no way of transporting your items.

President Bonnie adjourned the meeting.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at 11:27 and is filed under Club Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.