The hospital board Appointing Authority selected two more RVHS trustees this morning, the county’s latest move to assist the financially-troubled institution.

Thursday, January 04, 2001

The hospital board Appointing Authority selected two more RVHS trustees this morning, the county’s latest move to assist the financially-troubled institution.

Named to the board were Dr. Rodolfo Canos, a current member, and Pat Clonch.

They join six others appointed Tuesday – Jim Weber, Wayne White, Dick Craig, Bill Dingus, Dr. Jim Mileson and Bruce Trent.

The appointing authority held the RVHS board membership at eight members, although it had considered 10 members.

That is an option for later, the authority said.

"I trust the appointing committee and have faith they are working to help this hospital," said Weber, the only other current trustee reappointed.

The board has been working in recent weeks to improve the financial stability of the hospital, chaning administration and working on short- and long-term goals, Weber said.

The new board will review those plans, then determine the direction it wants to take, he said.

Weber said that direction likely will take into account work begun under the old board, including affiliations, the leadership of interim CEO Dr. John Ross and working with the financial committee organized by commissioners and headed by Dr. Bill Dingus.

The hospital also has a continuing interest in affiliating with Genesis Hospital System or other third party, Weber said.

An affiliation is an opportunity for River Valley to stay abreast with medical tehcnology and the volume buying power of a group, he said.

For instance, Genesis CEO Tom Jones made one phone call and RVHS was added as a "provider" for a major health insurance carrier, he added.

Working with Dr. Dingus and state legislators, who have ties with Ohio leaders in Columbus, will likely be key, as well as the administration’s plans to liquidate some properties owned by the hospital, and wait on Medicare fixes in federal government and Medicaid payments owed the hospital, Weber said.

Meanwhile, the upcoming payroll is met and the medical staff and employees are pulling together, he said.

"We need to use all assets available to secure the hospital and its jobs."

Staff writer Tracy S. Morris contributed to this story.