November 2023
We hope you and your family are well. Following is our annual update to you on healthcare matters in Lake City. It includes how we spent your money this year and some of the challenges we face in staffing the clinic. Please read on.
Putting Your Money to Work – Following is where $36,694 of your dollars went so far in 2023:
Pediatric Care Support – The clinic acquired a new Handtevy pediatric kit and EMS rounded out pediatric and advanced life support equipment for ambulances. The Handtevy system provides pre-calculated medication information that enables fast and accurate dosing support in emergencies. The clinic and EMS use the same system. These grants totaled $5,942.
Otoscopes – A 50% matching grant of $2,943 was awarded to the clinic for new ophthalmoscope/otoscope replacements. This replaced old equipment that was not holding charge or had reduced function.
Apartment Refresh – The clinic has two apartments in the complex for commuting and temporary staff, visiting professionals and medical educators, medical students, and other healthcare support people. Heater, mattresses, refrigerator, dining furniture, and various towels, bedding, utensils, and other small items were included in an update for $14,190.
Site Security – The clinic installed security cameras and associated monitoring, recording, and storage equipment under a project grant for $8,672.
Strategic Planning – The Health District Strategic Plan was updated at a professionally-facilitated strategic planning workshop in February. Ongoing leadership development and plan review continues during the year. A grant was made for $4,947.
A request for matching funding of clinic employee year-end bonuses is expected in December.
We appreciate your generosity that made this possible, and encourage your continued support to insure the future of our grant program.
Clinic Staffing – The Health District has a challenging road ahead for filling vacant positions. In September, Dr. Bill Gattis resigned to move to a more attractive position in his hometown of Gunnison. Physician Assistant Bob Downs announced earlier this year he is retiring in early 2024. Important nursing and other positions are vacant. Searches are underway for filling these.
The competitive compensation landscape has to be understood to assure we attract and retain people for critical positions. If we are to sustain operation, compensation packages have to increase to attract and retain quality staff. This puts pressure in all areas of the budget.
Endowment Board Change – During 2023, Jerry Johnson retired from the Health District Board after many years of great service. Jerry was also the district representative on the Endowment Board since 2019, leaving a vacancy for us. We appreciate very much Jerry’s service and he will be missed on both boards. Health District Board member Jordan Kaminski joins the Endowment Board as their representative to replace Jerry.
How You Can Help - Our direct giving program relies almost entirely on your donations and legacy commitments. We have an all-volunteer board that allows us to keep expenses low so 98% of your donations go to our grant program to help now and investment portfolio for future needs.
To make it easier for you to help, we have online donation capability on our website at www.LCMCEndowmentFund.org. You can also still send your checks to our postal address – PO Box 822, Lake City, CO 81235. We accept donations of all kinds including stocks, property, and other forms. Please consider us in your estate planning for legacy donations.
Kindest regards and best wishes for the holiday season,
Bernie Krystyniak
President
Nancy Zeller
Director Emerita
LCMC Endowment Fund, Inc. LCMCEndowment@gmail.com
Bernie Krystyniak – Pres, Treas
Cindy Rae – Vice-President
Linda Downs – Secretary
Dr. Howard Berg
Marcia Connell
Jordan Kaminski
Jerry Gray
Malinda McDonald
Buffy Witt
LCMC Endowment Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) that supports quality health care delivery in our community by the Lake Fork Health Service District, Silver Thread Public Health District, and Hinsdale County EMS.