“The theme of the report is light-hearted,” says Todd C. Linden, president and CEO of GRMC. “But the message is very true. There are many heroes among us here at GRMC who do extraordinary things everyday that make a real difference in people’s lives. Everyone on our team plays an important role, from those who make sure the building is clean and running properly to those who perform life-saving surgery. The children’s artwork illustrates the example of an everyday hero, like the people who work at GRMC.”
In 2009, GRMC was ranked the 11th best hospital in the state of Iowa based on the national survey scores in Consumer Reports healthcare comparison.
The team of “super heroes” at GRMC grew with the additions of Dale Andres, DO, (pathology); Gene Gessner, MD, (pain management); Christine Lindgren, DO (internal medicine); Emil Pecholt, DO, (family practice); and Philip Sundquist, MD, (emergency medicine). Allied health professionals new to GRMC include Wendi Beck, PA-C; Diane Nutter, ARNP; and Kenna Willey, PA-C. Cardiologists Michael Kienzle, MD, and Allan Latcham, MD, joined the visiting specialists at GRMC.
- During 2009, GRMC and Mercy Health Network in Des Moines, partnered to create an eICU. This model brings around-the-clock physician coverage to the GRMC intensive care unit through two-way computer monitoring.
- H1N1 was one of the public’s enemies in the past year. GRMC and Grinnell Regional Public Health vaccinated nearly 30 percent of Poweshiek County against the H1N1 virus. They report 5,676 vaccinations given just for H1N1.
- GRMC advances in chemotherapy now offer greater options for patients fighting cancer and their increased comfort.
- Digital mammography now at GRMC provides state-of-the-art diagnostic screening for breast cancer detection.
Also featured in the 2009 Annual Report are “the hero’s heroes,” the donors who overcame the recession to break the record for giving to the Annual Fund Drive. Even with the challenging economy, community members increased giving by $50,000 over 2008, contributing $363,000 from 1,032 donors.
“The community support of GRMC is extraordinary,” says Denise Lamphier, director of communications and development. “Our donors truly are our heroes and have a substantial effect on what this medical center can accomplish.”
The report notes that GRMC finished 2009 with a $938,300 loss, which is a significant improvement compared to a loss of more than $3 million in 2008. This is nearly a 70 percent improvement in financial performance.
Over the past two years, GRMC has reduced costs by $8 million, or nearly 20 percent. This was accomplished through active expense management and cost reductions. GRMC notes their costs were already well below the national average before expense reduction began.
How is 2010 shaping up?
GRMC reports that the many years of advocacy work by other super heroes, those community volunteers and board members who traveled with GRMC administration to Washington, D.C., has finally paid off. Payment relief for Medicare and Medicaid services for “tweener” sized hospitals like GRMC was included in the healthcare reform legislation passed earlier this year. GRMC could see up to a $1 million per year improved payment for the next two years as a result.
GRMC points to the addition of new physicians to its staff as positive indicators for the future. Nicolas Kuiper, DO, (general surgery), and Aaron Smith, DO, (urology), began employment with Surgical Associates in July. Nurse anesthetist Troy Anderson has also joined the GRMC staff.
Additionally, GRMC has recruited its first obstetrics/gynecology physician, Seanna Thompson, MD, FACOG, who will arrive in Grinnell at the end of the year. Stephen Ellestad, DO, will join the medical staff in the emergency department later this year.
The 2009 GRMC Annual Report, “Everyday Superheroes,” can be viewed online at www.grmc.us. If you have any questions, please call the office of communications and development at 641-236-2961.
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