Barry Mousa has been a senior healthcare executive for over 20 years, serving as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for hospitals in Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Illinois and New Jersey. His background includes freestanding hospitals and multi-hospital systems (for-profit and not-for-profit) and he has an expertise in turnaround situations. Mousa received his BS in Business from Indiana University, Fort Wayne, Indiana and his MS in Health Care Administration from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas.

“I plan to continue the excellent work Roger has been doing – providing organizational stability during this time of transition with a potential affiliation on the horizon,” said Mousa. “I am committed to ensuring that RMCHCS thrives as an organization and meets the healthcare needs of Gallup and McKinley County.”

Some of the highlights of the transition:

• Gleisner accepted the position as interim CEO initially for three months. He then extended several times.  His final day as CEO will be April 30.
• Mousa is not an interim CEO. He is being hired as a full-time CEO.
• Gleisner, during his tenure at RMCHCS, has had many successes including:
  • Ending 2012 with a net operating loss of $251,235, compared with a $6.38 million loss in 2011. This loss does not include Sole Community Provider funds of $2.56 million that were expected in November/December 2012. With the funding, RMCHCS would have had a gain for the year.
  • Reducing operating expenses by 10.8% from 2011

“We are indebted to Roger for his unwavering service to both the organization and the community,” said Kathy Head, RMCHCS Board of Trustees Chair. “We appreciate his leadership and guidance during tough economic times and in leading us into the next phase of extraordinary healthcare for Gallup, McKinley County and the neighboring communities.”

The post New CEO to Join RMCHCS on May 6, 2013 appeared first on RMCHCS.

The deadline for proposals is March 31, and the Camden Group expects to receive anywhere from 3 to 5 proposals. They will do an initial review of the proposals and bring a summary to the Search committee. The Search committee will assess the proposals and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The entire process could take another three to nine months.

RMCHCS will be offering blood screening tests from April 22 – May 4, 2013 Monday – Saturday in the RMCHCS main lobby. RMCHCS has provided this community benefit for over 25 years. In 2012, this translated into $70,000 in community benefit dollars. The public is welcome to get blood screening tests from 7am – 9am in the morning. Three tests are being offered: basic blood profile (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL), hemoglobin A1C and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Each test costs $15.00. Appointments can be made by calling 505.863.7325 and walk-ins are also welcome. For the past 25 years, RMCHCS has hosted a community health fair. Because of dwindling numbers, RMCHCS will take a break from hosting the fair this year and hopes to return with an improved health fair for 2014.

March 30, 2013 is National Doctor’s Day. RMCHCS recognizes and thanks the providers at RMCHCS and the providers in the community for their contributions to the health of individuals and the overall health of our community and surrounding area.

RMCHCS ended the month of February with a net operating income of $27,000. Net operating income, year-to date is $9,000. Sole Community Provider (SCP) funds are still being held up at the federal and state level. RMCHCS has secured a loan for $2.5 million as interim financing. “We are regularly in touch with New Mexico Human Services Department and have been told this will be resolved in weeks. However, it has been over 12 weeks since the SCP funds were suspended across the State. We continue to watch our expenses closely and look at ways to increase our revenue. It is our goal as an organization to reduce operational reliance on SCP going forward,” commented Roger Gleisner, acting CEO.

The post March 29, 2013 Monthly Report appeared first on RMCHCS.

“The timely and continued payment of SCP supplemental and quarterly funds is critically important to RMCHCS.   We are in close contact with the New Mexico Hospital Association as they respond to the suspension,” commented acting CEO Roger Gleisner. “While we have been told there should be a resolution in weeks rather than months, we need to be proactive.  We are very grateful to the County Commissioners for passing this resolution, which will give us access to funding during this critical time.”

Gleisner reported that RMCHCS ended the month of January with a net operating loss of $17,800.  While operating expenses were under budget by 8.4 percent, operating revenues were 9.5 percent below budget. “Volumes were lower than projected in January, which impacts operating revenue. We are strategically working to improve revenue and to reduce our operational reliance on SCP funding.  It is a gradual process,” commented Gleisner.

Patient safety and quality care is a focus at RMCHCS.  The Meaningful Use Program is a federally funded and mandated program requiring all hospitals to adopt an electronic medical records (EMR) system by 2017 for the purpose of increasing patient safety, decreasing medical errors and improving overall patient care.  RMCHCS has been upgrading its Meditech system, which is one of the accepted EMR systems for smaller hospitals, to comply with the Meaningful Use Program.

RMCHCS is set to complete the first stage of the Meaningful Use Program on April 2, 2013 with the implementation of Computerized Physician/Provider Order Entry (CPOE).  Providers will no longer use paper charts but will be entering all patient information and orders directly into computers during the actual patient visit.  CPOE will first be implemented in the hospital.  RMCHCS has installed computers in all patient rooms in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as well as in all patient rooms in the Women’s Health Unit.  On the Medical/Surgical Unit, providers will use computer tablets to enter their orders.  Dr. Melita Ellis, Director of Informatics at RMCHCS, has been instrumental in implementing CPOE and is in the process of training the providers to use CPOE.   Once RMCHCS confirms they have a certified EMR system that is working by the end of 2013, the organization will qualify to receive in excess of $1 million in federal and state funding.  This is an important step toward the complete adoption of an EMR system at RMCHCS.

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  Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) is a 501 (c) 3 healthcare network serving rural McKinley County. RMCHCS’ mission is to serve God by making a profound and lasting difference in the health and quality of life for all people in the community.  Certified by The Joint Commission, RMCHCS offers a wide range of medical and diagnostic services including a 69-bed acute care hospital, two outpatient clinics, home health and hospice services, behavioral health services and a 20-bed inpatient addictions recovery program.  The RMCHCS hospital is the only non-governmental hospital in McKinley County.

The post RMCHCS Monthly Update appeared first on RMCHCS.

RMCHCS has established Guiding Principles for Affiliation with which to evaluate any proposed affiliation. A brief summary of the Guiding Principles are presented below.  For a complete version, please go to www.rmch.org and click on the “Affiliation Update” tab.

• Financial – Provide RMCHCS with access to capital to invest in provider recruitment, increase the availability of healthcare services locally, sustain operations and clinical services, and upgrade the hospital and related clinic facilities.
• Community – Maintain and support an acute care hospital and clinical services in Gallup; establish a governance structure which includes local community representation and supports local decision making; and assure local board and management participation in overall system strategic planning.
• Culture – Have a superior reputation within the communities it serves and among providers, consumers, and insurance plans; demonstrate a history of follow-through on promises and commitments; and demonstrate a commitment to transparency in dealing with all its constituencies.
• Growth – Build, not reduce, local healthcare capabilities that are appropriate for the community; improve operations of the RMCHCS clinics and enhance patient access; preserve existing services and recruit full-time medical staff who become members of the community; and add new services.
• Quality – Demonstrate ability to improve quality outcomes and services; provide enhanced access to clinical and administrative support resources to achieve/assure excellence; provide patient-centered care; and expand the level of education for board, medical staff, and staff.
• People – Commit to maintaining and growing employment at RMCHCS; provide increased resources for recruitment and retention; and promote talent development from within the community.

Gleisner said he hopes to have received responses to the Request for Proposals by the end of March.  A new affiliate partner could be announced as early as this summer if the Board elects to move forward with an affiliation agreement.  RMCHCS may also elect to remain independent if no proposal is received which adequately fulfills the Guiding Principles.

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Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) is a 501 (c) 3 healthcare network serving rural McKinley County. RMCHCS’ mission is to serve God by making a profound and lasting difference in the health and quality of life for all people in the community.  Certified by The Joint Commission, RMCHCS offers a wide range of medical and diagnostic services including a 69-bed acute care hospital, two outpatient clinics, home health and hospice services, behavioral health services and a 20-bed inpatient addictions recovery program.  The RMCHCS hospital is the only non-governmental hospital in McKinley County.

The post RMCHCS Establishes Guiding Principles to Help in Search for Affiliate Partner appeared first on RMCHCS.

Gleisner attended the January 22 McKinley County Commissioners where Commissioner Bob Rosebrough brought up three hospital-related issues: RMCHCS board governance model, RMCHCS’ possible affiliation and the need for the County to obtain professional services to help them better understand hospital-related issues. Gleisner expressed appreciation for the positive relationship the County has had with RMCHCS and his desire to enhance that relationship.   “The County is an important stakeholder in the hospital and we want them to be table throughout the affiliation process.”

Gleisner reported that the organization ended the year with a net operating loss of $251,235.  These preliminary financial results compare favorably to last year’s loss of $6.38 million.  “I am very grateful for the way in which RMCHCS providers and staff members have pulled together to get us through this past year.  Their efforts have greatly contributed to the progress we made,” commented Gleisner. “We also appreciate the support we received from the County and the community.”

Gleisner also reported that Mr. Bob Zollinger is no longer on the RMCHCS Board of Trustees.

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The post February 1, 2013 Monthly Update appeared first on RMCHCS.

The Camden Group has its headquarters in the great Los Angeles, California area and has over 40 years experience in providing management and consulting services to the health care industry exclusively.  They have offices across the country and have assisted more than 1,000 health care organizations nationwide.

The Camden Group will assist the Board of Trustees in requesting proposals with respect to strategic affiliations or partnerships with an outside entity and will facilitate the decision-making process.  Should the Board decide to move forward with a transaction based on the proposals received, the Camden Group will manage the transaction to closure.

“We are looking forward to working with the Camden Group,” said Gleisner.  They will help us realize our objective, which is to do what is best for the residents of McKinley County and the surrounding area.  “We see this as an opportunity to preserve and improve on the delivery, quality and scope of health care service available in the community,” added Gleisner.

The Camden Group will work with the Board to develop a comprehensive set of alternatives that result in the highest value, best fit partner selection.  They will also represent the best interests of RMCHCS throughout the process.  The expected timeline for the process is about six to nine months.

RMCHCS ended the month of October with a net operating income of $100,708. RMCHCS anticipates receiving supplemental payment of Sole Community Provider funds in December, which will help with the organization’s overall cash flow.

The post RMCHCS Selects Financial Advisory Firm appeared first on RMCHCS.

“The Board of Trustees is committed to making sure McKinley County and surrounding areas have access to quality health care services that are both affordable and local.  It is our fiduciary responsibility to position and strengthen the hospital so it can deliver those services for years to come,” commented Board Chair, Kathy Head.  Any decision about whether to remain completely independent or to enter into a strategic partnership or affiliation is very difficult and must be made with much deliberation and consideration.  “We are at the beginning of the process, we are exploring our options” said Head.

Six months ago the Board decided to conduct a high level assessment of the organization’s financial and operational issues, industry challenges and strategic market position to determine how it can best meet the community’s future health care needs. The assessment concluded that there is risk associated with staying independent and that there are opportunities associated with strategic affiliations.  The report states, “a well-executed strategic partnership could benefit all stakeholders (McKinley County, providers, employees and community members).”

Most hospital boards across the United States are facing the same challenges and are thinking strategically as to how they can best meet the health care needs of their communities.  Financial instability resulting from the economic downturn, physician recruitment and retention, lower patient volumes, infrastructure and technology needs and the movement away from a fee-for-service reimbursement model to a value-based business model in health care are factors impacting hospitals, from small community hospitals to large hospital systems.

“There is lots of uncertainty about the future of health care. Health care is changing and we are not immune from the changes,” commented Gleisner. The Board’ s objective is to do what is best for the residents of McKinley County and the surrounding area.  “We see this as an opportunity to preserve and improve on the delivery, quality and scope of health care service available in the community.  The hospital is an important community asset and we want to see it thrive rather than just survive,” added Head.

“We will evaluate organizations that best align with our mission and values,” said Gleisner.  This could ultimately result in the development and distribution of a RFP.  No matter what decision is made about strategic partnerships, the future of health care in McKinley County will depend on strong community support.  RMCHCS has appreciated strong community support in the past and trust it will continue into the future.”

RMCHCS is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 health care network serving rural McKinley County. RMCHCS’ mission is to serve God by making a profound and lasting difference in the health and

quality of life for all people in the community. Certified by The Joint Commission, RMCHCS offers a wide range of medical and diagnostic services including a 69-bed acute care hospital, two outpatient clinics, home health and hospice, behavioral health services and a 20-bed inpatient addictions program.

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The post RMCHCS Board of Trustees to Explore Strategic Affiliations – October 17, 2012 appeared first on RMCHCS.

On Tuesday, August 21, Gleisner provided RMCHCS’ quarterly report to the County Commission.  Included in the quarterly report was an accounting of mill levy receipts. RMCHCS received $805,000 in mill levy funds between January 1 and July 31, 2012 and spent $1.8 million on capital and maintenance for the hospital building.   RMCHCS also requested a change in the wording on the mill levy ballot that will go before voters on November 6.  The change on the ballot would give the County authorization for a tax of up to 4 mills of each dollar assessed property subject to taxation rather than the current 2 mills.  In addition, the ballot would include the provision that mill levy tax dollars could be used for the sole community provider (SCP) matching funds. The County Commissioners accepted RMCHCS’ report and the request for a change in the wording of the ballot unanimously.

RMCHCS is committed to making sure the community has access to excellent health care, including women’s health services.  Dr. Gary Pugh is chair of RMCHCS OB-GYN practice and has been at RMCHCS for five years. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is pleased by the growth he has seen in the practice over the past five years.  “Our practice is a team practice and we all work very well together in order to provide the best care for our patients,” said Pugh.  RMCHCS’ OB-GYN practice offers a wide range of obstetrical and gynecological services for women in all stages of life, including minimally invasive gynecological surgeries and urogynecology, having to do with problems of the bladder and pelvic area.   Dr. Pugh’s team includes Dr. Salam Chalouhi; Dr. Phil Kamps; Dr. Sahar Nouri; Jodi Tarutis, PA; Dr. Mahmood Vaezzedeh; Linda VanAsselt-King, CNM and Starla Willis, CNM.

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The post RMCHCS Monthly Update – August 24,2012 appeared first on RMCHCS.

Gleisner announced the appointment of Dr. Salam Chalouhi to RMCHCS’ OB-GYN practice at Red Rock Clinic.  Dr. Chalouhi is board-eligible in OB-GYN and is a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  She graduated from the Saint Joseph University School of Medicine in Beruit, Lebanon and completed her residency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in New York earlier this year.  RMCHCS has been actively recruiting for new providers and welcomes Dr. Chalouhi, who will begin seeing patients on Monday, July 30.”

RMCHCS provides a number of outpatient services.  Among them is its rehabilitation program, located on the ground floor of the hospital.  Doug Turner, director of rehabilitation services, has been developing the program and has a multidisciplinary department staffed with experienced therapists and technicians.

Physical therapy services are provided by three, full-time doctorate level providers with broad based experiences.   “We have an excellent team that is very knowledgeable and is experiencing high success rates with our patients,” says Turner.  RMCHCS’ physical therapists can treat all orthopedic, pain and movement dysfunctions.   In addition to adult and pediatric physical therapy, RMCHCS also offers neuromuscular, strengthening training and spinal physical therapy.  RMCHCS rehabilitation program also includes cardiac rehab as well as occupational and speech therapy.

“We have made significant improvements in our referral process,” says Turner.  Patients need a referral from their provider and can get in for an initial evaluation within 24 – 48 business hours.  The department accepts all insurance types and handles insurance authorizations and benefit information for its patients.  RMCHCS is pleased to offer rehabilitation services of this high quality to the community.

The post RMCHCS Monthly Update – July 27, 2012 appeared first on RMCHCS.

With the Affordable Health Care Act having been upheld by the US Supreme Court earlier in the week, Gleisner commented that this decision provides much-needed clarity on the direction the nation is taking to transform health care. “While this is not an easy task and will not happen overnight, it is our hope that the promise of expanded Medicaid and private insurance coverage will result in better access to care by patients,” said Gleisner. “RMCHCS will continue to focus on quality and efficiency in delivering health care. We will also continue to invest in health information technology such as electronic health records and in patient safety initiatives.”

In keeping with RMCHCS’ commitment to patient safety and quality of care, Gleisner announced that RMCHCS will be among 23 New Mexico hospitals who have joined the New Mexico Hospital Engagement Network (NM HEN), which was developed by the New Mexico Hospital Association (NMHA) in partnership with the Hospital Research and Education Trust (HRET) of the American Hospital Association. The goal of NM HEN is to engage New Mexico hospitals in quality improvement programs. Jeff Dye, NMHA president and CEO, stated that, “The NMHA is pleased to support 23 of our hospitals that have chosen to transform health care in the state. New Mexico hospitals continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to improve patient safety and quality of care.”

Gleisner also reported that on June 21 and 22, RMCHCS and Gallup Indian Medical Center (GIMC) hosted the area’s first trauma symposium. Approximately 200 physicians, providers, nurses and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel came together to learn from regional and national experts about what is new in trauma care. Topics ranged from pediatric abdominal trauma, pediatric injury prevention, farm, ranch and rodeo injuries to forensics, motor vehicle crash investigation and injury prevention. The symposium began with an opening address by Dr. Catherine Torres, Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health. Gleisner said that Dr. Torres visited both facilities that same day and was very pleased by the joint venture and expressed hope for future collaborations. The trauma symposium was made possible by a grant from the State Department of Health Trauma Program along with support from Gallup Med Flight, TriState CareFlight, PHI and Dr. Mary Poel.

On Saturday, June 23, 2012 Gallup joined 10 cities throughout New Mexico for a state-wide Project Heart Start training program. Nearly 100 residents, ages ranging from 12 – 76, attended the Compression-Only CPR (COCPR) training at Hiroshi Miyamura High School. Dr. Alan Beamsley, Medical Director of RMCHCS’ Emergency Department, was instrumental in bringing the training to Gallup. He was pleased by the turnout and by the number of volunteers who came out help. Members of the Gallup Fire Department, EMT services along with other health care providers turned up to help offer the training. “It was a great event,” said Beamsley, “and we plan on offering this training again next year.” Project Heart Start was funded by the New Mexico Heart Institute and sponsored by KOAT TV and the Albuquerque Journal. Gallup’s event was sponsored by Western New Mexico Emergency Physicians, RMCHCS, TriState CareFlight, Gallup Med Flight, Gallup Vision Source, Gurley Motor Co., Century 21 Action Realty and Butler’s Printing and Office Supply.

The post RMCHCS Monthly Update – June 29, 2012 appeared first on RMCHCS.