Edith L. Schmidt
Age: Did not answer.
Children: Two Stepchildren, Three Step Grandchildren
Previous Residences: Illinois, Texas, and Ohio
Occupation: Retired Business Administrator, Caregiver
Question 1: What were the issues that made you interested in running for the MHS board of directors?
Answer: It is important for our city and county’s future to keep Memorial Hospital a customer and quality care driven health care asset. Being involved as a Board member with one of Abilene’s and Dickinson County’s largest employer and a critical service provider, would be a rewarding experience for me.
What are your qualifications for serving on the Board?
Answer: With over 30 years of experience in Business Administration and Business Management working for a major international company, I have a wealth of administrative and supervisorial skills to share and help to make MHS a cost effective and efficient organization. During these years I held positions in accounting, payroll, and materials management departments, process engineering groups, chemical sales groups, transportation groups, emergency preparedness department, manufacturing and supply as well as human resources including managing Schmidt
domestic and international relocations of company employees. In accomplishing my business and career goals it was necessary for me to interface with our company employees, non-union and union; officers of the company, co-workers and subordinates; representatives of affiliated and associated companies and organizations, and suppliers of the various services that were required.
Currently I am serving on the Board of Directors for Historic Abilene, Inc.
While in Ohio, I held various positions in the Friends of the New London Library as well as other not-for-profit organizations. One of my early work experiences was with an emergency Red Cross response to a local disaster.
Question 2: What are the biggest issues facing rural critical care hospitals like MHS?
Answer: From my perspective, I feel that critical issues for Memorial Hospital are continuing to provide quality health care for customers and attracting skilled medical providers.
Question 3: Memorial Health System has been working on a proposed renovation project for several years. Are you in favor of renovations at Memorial Hospital? Why or why not?
Answer: I am in favor of growing Memorial Hospital into a cost effective and efficient health care provider. I understand the pros and cons for whether to renovate and/or build new facilities to maintain and improve their standards of health care.
I will look for, review and understand the critical data/information before making decisions that best represent and support our community and their needs.
Since 1996 I have had many experiences as an active observer of hospital and doctor proficiency while my close relatives were receiving various treatments in a number of hospitals as their health deteriorated. Oncology clinics, emergency rooms and hospital rooms are quite familiar to me. Since moving to Abilene I have spent many hours in the Memorial Hospital emergency room as my mother was being treated and/or admitted as a result of her decline in health. Memorial Hospital is a wonderful facility which I would like to see continue to grow.
Question 4: Are you satisfied with the level of service MHS provides the community?
Answer: Although MHS does provide an adequate level of services, I would like to see a higher level of specialists and cost effective facilities available for Abilene and Dickinson County residents.
I believe that MHS should focus on and provide the required necessary health care services and not compete or duplicate low demand and services that are already in the region. MHS can not be/have everything as a health care provider but MHS can be the best in the required health services provided in our rural community. If it is available, I would like to see a survey that illustrates the pulse of our community and our resident’s needs.
Question 5: Does Memorial Hospital have a role in recruiting physicians?
As a community leader, Memorial Hospital has a very important role in recruiting quality physicians, employees, and customers by providing and supporting their community and MHS facilities to be the best place to work and live.
I would like to thank the community for giving me the opportunity to be of service.
Kent Wyatt
Age: 55
Marital status: Married
Number of children: Two
Hometown: Abilene
Occupation: Banker
If you are an incumbent, when were you first elected? April 2002
Question 1: What were the issues that made you interested in running for the MHS board of directors? What are your qualifications for serving on the board?
Answer: Good quality health care is vital to a town.
Question 2: What are the biggest issues facing rural critical care hospitals like Memorial Hospital of Abilene?
Aanswer: Physician recruitment, outdated facility, continuous changes in health care.
Question 3: Memorial Health System has been working on a proposed renovation project for several years. Are you in favor of renovations atMemorial Hospital? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes. It is vital to stay current with changes in health care. To be able to recruit new physicians.
Question 4: Are you satisfied with the level of service MHS provides the community?
Answer: Yes, as far as the current facility allows, but a new hospital would allow better service.
Question 5: Does Memorial Hospital have a role in recruiting physicians?
Aanswer: Most definitely. Doctors want to come out of school and be employed, therefore the hospital plays a huge role, as they are doing the employing.
Betty L. Noel
Age: 80
Marital Status: Married
Number of Children, Grandchildren: Four children, six grandchildren
Hometown: Abilene
Occupation: Retired farmwife/nurse
If you are an incumbent, when were you first elected? 1997
Question 1: What were the issues that made you interested in running for the MHS board of directors? What are your qualifications for serving on the board?
Answer: To be of service to my community. I felt that my training in the medical field and my experience in the field would give me understanding of needs in the area of health care.
Question 2: What are the biggest issues facing rural critical care hospitals like Memorial Hospital of Abilene?
Answer: To keep abreast of the changing face of healthcare delivery, to provide safe adequate care now and in the future.
Question 3: Memorial Health System has been working on a proposed renovation project for several years. Are you in favor of renovations at Memorial Hospital? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes -- definitely. Just as is the case in other profession fields we must provide ‘up-to-date’ care with wise use of resources.
Question 4: Are you satisfied with the level of service MHS provides the community?
There is always room for improvement.
Question 5: Does Memorial Hospital have a role in recruiting physicians?
Answer: Yes! What young aggressive young person would choose to work in an ‘out of date’ rundown facility. Professionals of all types have to be vigilant and alert to maintain ‘best practice’.
Mildred (Millie) Fink
Age: 67
Marital status: Married 49 years in June
Number of children, grandchildren: 6 children, 15 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren
Hometown: Chapman
Occupation: Retired Children and Family Services Supervisor, Social and Rehabilitation Services (S.R.S.)
First elected: 2003
Question 1: What were the issues that made you interested in running for the MHS board of directors? What are your qualifications for serving on the board?
Answer: I originally was asked to serve out the term of a Board Member whose agency position was deemed to be a conflict of interest with her position on Memorial’s Board of Directors. When the Board position came up for election in 2003 I had served long enough to know that I was serving with a Board and Executive Team who had at heart the best interests of Memorial Health System and the hospital district. They were progressive, fiscally deliberate and open-minded—traits that I believe a Board should have. I wanted to see Memorial Hospital continue to be a medical facility where doctors practice good medicine in a good facility with good outcomes for the patients they serve.
My qualifications include nine years on the Memorial Health Systems Board; with S.R.S. managing staff in a social services agency with budgetary and privacy mandates; , and past and present service on other agency boards, some of which include Abilene Housing, Inc./Frontier Estates Board of Directors; Chapman Senior Center, Chapman Housing Authority, Quality of Life Coalition, Chapman Public Housing Authority, and finance council at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Chapman, among others.
Question 2: What are the biggest issues facing rural critical care hospitals like Memorial Hospital of Abilene?
Answer: Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance understandably are looking constantly for ways to reduce the reimbursement for medical care. The new health care law is attempting to mandate medical care for uninsured and underinsured citizens. That puts additional pressure on the state finances to provide for these programs. I would see the biggest issues facing rural critical access hospitals would be the impact of the state and national economy and their ability to hold the line on cost-based reimbursement plus 1%. Memorial has met all of the mandates to become a critical access facility, qualifies for some federal grant programs to help with the required information technology needed to make medical care more efficient. Nothing in the foreseeable future is apparent that would restrict Memorial’s ability to provide services that qualify it for the critical access designation and resulting reimbursement.
Question 3: Memorial Health System has been working on a proposed renovation project for several years. Are you in favor of renovations at Memorial Hospital? Why or why not?
Answer: Our patients and workers deserve a modern, attractive facility with up to date equipment. I have come to realize that when new doctors are looking for a place to practice medicine few want to own their own facilities with the resulting management issues. They may early on experience tremendous financial pressures—perhaps due to student loans, buying a first home and starting a family, plus the added burden of buying a facility, equipment, and staffing the facility. Memorial is ahead of the national trend of buying physicians’ practices and renting space. But in order to attract new medical providers and patients Memorial’s facility and equipment need to be upgraded. I am definitely in favor of the renovations at Memorial Hospital.
Question 4: Are you satisfied with the level of service MHS provides the community?
Answer: Memorial Health System has been very progressive in pursuing opportunities to provide services beyond those provided at the hospital itself. The purchase, renovation and operation of Village Manor; facility improvements and equipment purchases at the Abilene Fitness Center and the addition and renovation of the swimming pool; providing clean, safe, secure day care at the Nichols Day Care Center; oversight of Frontier Estates, Hospice services, health fair, the list goes on and on, touching nearly everyone in some aspect.
Question 5: Does Memorial Hospital have a role in recruiting physicians?
Answer: Memorial Hospital definitely has a role in recruiting physicians. It is hardly a secret that patients and hospitals need doctors to survive. Unless doctors are in this community to provide care and refer their patients to the hospital as needed, not only the hospital but also the entire community will feel the impact. A viable local hospital and competent medical doctors on staff provide convenience and continuity for patients. Memorial is one of the county’s largest employers; having to drive to other towns for jobs is costly in terms of time and money. It all begins with physicians.
Paul J. Schmitt
Age: 77
Marital status: married
Children: Three children (one deceased), seven grandchildren
Hometown: Kinsley, Kansas.
Occupation: Retired
Question 1: What were the issues that made you interested in running for the MHS board of directors? What are your qualifications for serving on the board?
I have always been interested in health care. Since the recent issues affecting Abilene Memorial and how they may affect the community I decided to be a candidate for the hospital board. I have 34 years of experience managing offices, preparing budgets, administering large and complex program, managing large number of employees and overseeing programs with large sums of money. I have worked with the public for over 55 years I also believe that if you don’t try to make things right, you can’t complain about what you think is wrong.
Question 2: What are the biggest issues facing rural critical care hospitals like Memorial Hospital of Abilene?
Keep up with rapid changing equipment and technology. A large issue is attracting doctors to small communities. With more and more healthcare going to specialized fields and the draw to regional hospitals, doctors will tend to go to larger cities and regional hospitals.
Question 3: Memorial Health System has been working on a proposed renovation project for several years. Are you in favor of renovations at Memorial Hospital? Why or why not?
Some renovations, I believe, are necessary. Those I favor. Depending on funds, from Medicare, at this time, seems to be quite uncertain. With the exceptions of 45% of hospital revenue to pay for the proposed bond debt, from Medicare, in the present and expected cuts proposes great risk. We need to provide the best possible service within the means that we have.
Question 4: Are you satisfied with the level of service MHS provides the community?
I am very satisfied with the level of care provided by Abilene Memorial. I believe the doctors and employees are very dedicated people doing their best. This has been the case since I came to Abilene 45 years ago. Changes in technology and equipment have made it better.
Question 5: Does Memorial Hospital have a role in recruiting physicians?
Yes. The hospital board and the administrator have a very vital role in recruiting physicians. This should be an ongoing process.
Marilyn Smalley
Age: 69
Marital Status: divorced
Number of children, 3; grandchildren, 1
Hometown: Abilene since 1969
Occupation: Nurse Anesthetist, retired
Question 1: What were the issues that made you interested in running for the MHS board of directors? What are your qualifications for serving on the board?
Answer: Like many other people in the community, I have become concerned about the proposed hospital renovations, the financial condition of the various institutions in the Memorial Health System, physician recruitment, and the long-term maintenance of viable health care facilities.
Having spent 37 years serving the community as a nurse anesthetist at Abilene Memorial Hospital, I have gained a long-term perspective regarding the ongoing operation of this facility. During these years, my family and I have also been patients in the surgical and obstetrical departments, where we received high quality medical care. My experiences as both a medical care provider and a patient have given me a deep appreciation for the importance of the hospital in our community.
Question 2: What are the biggest issues facing rural critical care hospitals like Memorial Hospital of Abilene?
Answer: Because medical professionals are paid at a lower reimbursement rate in smaller communities, attracting and keeping them here is one of our greatest challenges, along with maintaining and modernizing our medical facilities.
Question 3: Memorial Health System has been working on a proposed renovation project for several years. Are you in favor of renovations at Memorial Hospital? Why or why not?
Answer: Certain areas of the hospital have become woefully inadequate and difficult to maintain, so there is no question that the renovations are absolutely necessary. However, there are questions about how it is going to be renovated. We need to make sure that the new facilities will not only be adequate for our present needs, but also for our long-term future needs.
Question 4: Are you satisfied with the level of service MHS provides the community?
Answer: Yes, and it is of vital importance that this level of service be maintained. “People you know, caring for people you love” is more than just a slogan. Being able to receive medical services close to home makes a big difference in people’s lives. My family and I have experienced first-hand the difference between the care received at a large medical center and that received at Abilene Memorial Hospital.
Question 5: Does Memorial Hospital have a role in recruiting physicians?
Answer: Absolutely. As I have already pointed out, attracting and keeping good physicians is one of our greatest challenges, and the hospital must take an active role in recruiting them.
John Philip Kollhoff
Age: 30
Marital Status: Married, about 4 years to Sue Ann (Hamon) Kollhoff
Children: One daughter, Claire, born 4/22/2010
Hometown: Born in Beloit, KS
Occupation: Pharmacist/Realtor/Landlord/Entrepreneur/Husband/Father
Question 1: What were the issues that made you interested in running for the MHS board of directors? What are your qualifications for serving on the board?
Answer: I am interested in running for the MHS Board of Directors because I am committed to the goal of optimal health care for Dickinson County and the surrounding areas. I feel that I am qualified to serve on this board for many reasons. I earned my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas, which included classes on health care systems. I have worked in independent pharmacies for my entire professional career and currently manage Patterson HealthCare Pharmacy in downtown Abilene.
Question 2: What are the biggest issues facing rural critical care hospitals like Memorial Hospital of Abilene?
Answer: I feel that the largest concern for hospitals such as ours is the uncertainty created by Congress. The US is facing a huge budget deficit and Medicare and Medicaid make up a significant portion of annual spending. This makes it a popular target for spending cuts which could result in lower reimbursement for services provided at hospitals such as Memorial Hospital.
Question 3: Memorial Health System has been working on a proposed renovation project for several years. Are you in favor of renovations at Memorial Hospital? Why or why not?
Answer: I am in favor of a renovation/expansion plan that can be wholly funded by the operations of Memorial Health System. I see a need for expanded space for primary care and surgical services in the immediate future, but I don't feel that the taxpayers should be left holding the bag if MHS is unable to meet its obligations. If this project does move forward, I would like to find options for financing the project that would be less expensive for MHS and limit the taxpayers' exposure.
Question 4: Are you satisfied with the level of service MHS provides the community?
Answer: My personal experience with MHS started with pre-natal classes that were given by a labor and delivery nurse at MHS. These classes helped to prepare us for the birth of our daughter - except for the lack of sleep! My wife gave birth to our daughter at Memorial Hospital, and we both felt that the care the whole family received was better than any we have ever seen, for ourselves or our family members.
Question 5: Does Memorial Hospital have a role in recruiting physicians?
Answer: Since the purchase of the Family Care Clinic, the hospital will have to work to recruit physicians to meet demand at their primary care clinic. Even if they had not purchased the clinic, it is important to maintain a base of local physicians to refer patients to the local hospital.