Tag Archives: dr. kevin flanigan

Community News, Local News

Chair of NIHD Board of Directors Issues Statement on CEO Suspension

Chair of the Northern Inyo Healthcare District’s Board of Directors, Jean Turner issued a statement on CEO, Kevin Flanigan being put on paid leave for alleged financial and operational issues.

“Northern Inyo Healthcare District placed its Chief Executive Officer on paid leave, pending an investigation of financial and operational issues. Dr. Kevin Flanigan was notified of this change in status on Thursday evening following a special Board of Directors meeting.

Effective immediately, Chief Operations Officer Kelli Davis will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer.

NIHD will be contracting with a consultant to conduct a review of the issues of concern. The expectation is this may take several weeks or more.

Decisions like this are never easy, and the Board did not take this action lightly. We are aware of the impacts these actions have on the lives of those involved, and we encourage you to be supportive of your colleagues during this time of transition. We appreciate any questions and concerns you may have. We ask you to be patient with the process and understand that we may not be able to answer specific questions due to the status of the investigation.

I have a high level of confidence in this staff and have faith in our ability to weather this challenge as well. I look forward to continuing to work with everyone.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you for your ongoing commitment to the District’s mission to improving our communities, one life at a time. Together, we have achieved so much, and it is my deepest hope that we will continue to do so.”

Community News, Local News

Revenue Shortfall Pushes NIHD Reorganization

Northern Inyo Healthcare District is undergoing staff reorganization as the direct result of a shortfall against projected revenues in its 2018-2019 budget. The three-phase restructuring began Friday, Jan. 18.

District leadership, faced with a $1.2 million shortfall against its projected revenues, felt it was necessary to make milder adjustments now rather than be faced with more drastic changes in next year’s budget.

Chief Executive Officer Kevin S. Flanigan, MD MBA, stressed the District is early enough in its projections that small changes can have a big long-term impact. “If the District waits until the next budget year, the District will have to both make up for this year’s deficit and cut to prevent another deficit year,” he said.

Dr. Flanigan also stressed that deficit is against budget projections and is not currently a situation in which current expenses are exceeding current revenue. He noted, however, that if something is not done now, this could very quickly become a matter where revenue does not cover costs.

The reorganization calls for a hiring freeze for all non-clinical positions, a re-alignment of responsibilities among these departments, a reduction in non-clinical workforce, and the potential for an offer of early retirement where possible. These changes, to be clear, do not affect any health care providers or clinical staff. These changes affect support staff in administrative areas.

“This move does not mean the District is in financial trouble from a cash-on-hand basis,” Dr. Flanigan said. “We currently can pay our bills, and our expenses are matching what we budgeted. However, we are experiencing fewer surgeries and fewer hospitalizations than we projected.”

A reduction in hospitalizations was anticipated, just not to the degree NIHD experienced in the first six months of its fiscal year.

“As people will recall, the District was moving toward a care model that emphasized improved health rather than critical illness,” Dr. Flanigan said. “We’ve seen an increase in our outpatient clinic visits. Our Emergency Department visits are consistent with budgeted numbers even with the addition of our Same Day Care services. Our transfers out of the area are only up slightly while our surgeries and hospital stays are down markedly. This means that the improved outpatient access and our focus on improved service have kept people healthier; thus less likely to need surgery and less likely to have to stay overnight in the hospital. However, this also means that the District is receiving less revenue.”

Dr. Flanigan said District leadership has met with staff members during the past few days outlining in detail the current situation, including plans for moving forward. As always, Dr. Flanigan maintains an open-door to those staff who may wish to meet with him privately.

KIBS/KBOV Announcements, Local News

CHCF RECOGNIZES NIHD

California Health Care Foundation list Northern Inyo as a high performing hospital.

July 5th
by Seth Conners

The California Health Care Foundation recently notified the hospital leadership and staff at Northern Inyo Hospital of their recognition by the State of California as a “High Performing Hospital” based on maternity measures.
The recent recognition of NIH as one of the best 33 hospitals in the state is the result of an evaluation based on low cesarean section and episiotomy rates, and a high rate of exclusively breastfeeding mothers.
After hearing the news, Hospital CEO Dr. Kevin Flanigan was proud to know that out of 260 hospitals in California (some of them thought to be among the best in the world), NIH was in the top 33.  He notes that “it’s gratifying to see that NIH is therefore listed among the best anywhere”.
Acting Chief Nursing Officer Tracy Aspel praised the Obstetrical Team, including both physicians and nurses, for achieving this status.

California Health Care Foundation, Northern Inyo Health Care District, High Performing Hospitals, Maternity Measures, Dr. Kevin Flanigan, California Hospitals, Bishop Hospital
Local News

NIH removing “Interim” tag, naming Flanigan CEO

Kevin S. Flanigan, MD MBA, named Northern Inyo Healthcare District’s CEO

submitted by Northern Inyo Hospital
February 19, 2016

After serving five months as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Northern Inyo Healthcare District, Kevin S. Flanigan, MD MBA, has a shorter title.

Dr. Flanigan will be dropping the word “interim” after accepting a two-year contract offer from the district board.

The announcement came at the NIHD Board of Directors meeting Wednesday evening following a closed session performance evaluation for Dr. Flanigan. Upon return to open session, Board President Denise Hayden announced the directors unanimously voted 5-0 to make Dr. Flanigan’s role as CEO a long-term, ongoing relationship.

“The Board is so pleased to announce this decision,” Mrs. Hayden said Thursday morning. “Dr. Flanigan led us through a difficult transition as Interim CEO and re-established the confidence of our staff and our community. He has many new and exciting ideas in store for the hospital, and we look forward to seeing him build a strong healthcare team for this community.”

“I am flattered and humbled by the Board’s actions Wednesday night,” Dr. Flanigan said Thursday. “It is a true honor to have the opportunity to lead this wonderful organization and to be able to partner with others in the Eastern Sierra region to ensure that tomorrow’s healthcare is better than that of yesterday. We truly are one team with one goal.”

Originally intended to serve as the healthcare district’s Chief Medical, Chief Operations and Chief Information Officer, Dr. Flanigan was named Acting CEO last September following the departure of former administrator Victoria Alexander-Lane. Dr. Flanigan was subsequently appointed Interim CEO in October.

Since that time, Dr. Flanigan worked closely with the NIHD board and employees to develop and establish long-term strategic goals and to position the district to realize those objectives.

Together, the Board, Dr. Flanigan and the district employees placed a renewed focus on continuous improvement and ensuring the best health outcomes for everyone in the district. The district’s new mission statement, unveiled in December, encompasses that focus: Improving our communities, one life at a time. One Team. One Goal. Your Health.

Dr. Flanigan is a graduate of the University of Richmond where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Latin and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He subsequently received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1993. He completed his internship and residency training at University of Louisville after which he became Board Certified in Internal Medicine (the medical care of adults) and Pediatrics.

After nearly 15 years of medical practice, Dr. Flanigan began a new career path in medical administration serving for almost five years as the Medical Director for the State of Maine Medicaid program known as MaineCare. During that time, he earned his Masters of Business Administration from UMASS at Amherst Isenberg School of Management.

Dr. Flanigan and his wife, Kelly, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, are the parents of three children. The couple looks forward to making their home in Inyo County.

About Northern Inyo Healthcare District: Founded in 1946, Northern Inyo Healthcare District features a 25-bed critical access hospital, a 24-hour emergency department, a primary care rural health clinic, a diagnostic imaging center, and clinics specializing in women’s health, orthopedics and neurology, pediatrics and allergies and general surgery. Continually striving to improve the health outcomes of those who rely on its services, Northern Inyo Healthcare District aims to improve our communities one life at a time. One Team. One Goal. Your Health.

northern inyo hospital Bishop, bishop california hospital, northern inyo healthcare district, dr kevin flanigan
Local News

NIH holding event to welcome newcomers

NIH Reception welcomes new healthcare providers, acting CEO

NIH announcement:

Northern Inyo Healthcare District will host a “Meet and Greet” reception introducing some of its newest healthcare providers and its acting Chief Executive Officer to the community.

The reception is set for Wednesday, Oct. 14th, 5:30-7 p.m. at the main lobby of Northern Inyo Hospital. The physicians spotlighted during the event include:

Dr. Felix Karp, one of NIH’s two board certified Hospitalists. Dr. Karp grew up in Pacific Palisades and attended UC San Diego for both his undergraduate and medical degrees. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Los Angeles County Hospital/USC Medical Center. Dr. Karp works alongside Dr. Joy Engblade, caring for those hospitalized at NIH.

Dr. Martha Kim, board certified in obstetrics/gynecology and internal medicine. A graduate of Dartmouth Medical School, resident of Kaiser San Francisco Internal Medicine Department and the University of Hawaii, Dr. Kim specializes in abdominal and vaginal surgery and gynecological ultrasound. She works at The Rural Health Women’s Clinic on the NIH campus.

Colleen McEvoy, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (C-PNP). McEvoy is a graduate of the University of California, San Francisco and has been a C-PNP for nine years. Her interests include adolescent medicine, pediatric hematology and oncology. She works at Northern Inyo Associates – Pediatrics & Allergies alongside Drs. Charlotte Helvie and Louisa Salisbury.

Dr. Allison Robinson, double board certified in General Surgery with specialization in Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Robinson grew up in Big Pine and attended the Uniformed Services University F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD, and completed her General Surgery residency at the National Naval Medical Center. She served as Staff Surgeon for the Naval Medical Center in San Diego for the past 10 years. She works at Northern Inyo Associates – General Surgery with Dr. Robbin Cromer-Tyler.

Dr. Louisa Salisbury, board certified Pediatrician. Dr. Salisbury hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a graduate of the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed her Pediatrics training at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She works alongside Dr. Charlotte Helvie and C-PNP Colleen McEvoy at Northern Inyo Associates – Pediatrics & Allergies.

Sunny Sawyer, one of four Physician Assistants at The Rural Health Clinic. A native Californian and former botanist, Sawyer is a graduate of Campbell University in North Carolina. Her interests include family medicine, wound repair and minor surgical procedures.

In addition NIH welcomes Dr. Kevin Flanigan, its acting Chief Executive Officer, to the facility and the community.
Dr. Flanigan comes to Bishop from Pittsfield, Maine where he most recently served as the medical director of Maine’s Medicaid program, MaineCare, for the past four years. Prior to that, he was a Pediatrician and Internist in Pittsfield for nearly 15 years. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond and the Medical College of Virginia, and completed his internship and residency training at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He earned his Masters of Business Administration from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  Dr. Flanigan moved to Maine from Virginia more than 20 years ago, residing in Pittsfield with his wife, Kelly, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, and their three children. He was named NIH’s Acting Chief Executive Officer in mid-September.

Cover Photo, Dr. Kevin Flanigan

northern inyo hospital, dr kevin flanigan, Sunny Sawyer, Dr. Allison Robinson, Colleen McEvoy, Dr. Felix Karp
Local News

NIH names Flanigan acting CEO

Bishop Hospital Board names Dr. Flanigan CEO

Just days after parting ways with Victoria Alexander-Lane the Northern Inyo Hospital Board named Dr. Kevin Flanigan acting Chief Executive Officer.  Dr. Flanigan had served as Chief Medical, Operations, and Information officer at NIH.  Dr. Flanigan replaces Alexander-Lane who employment ended Monday afternoon with a short statement released by Northern Inyo Hospital.

“Ms. Alexander-Lane’s employment as the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Inyo Healthcare District has ended effective immediately. The Board thanks her for her contributions over the last eighteen months and wishes her well in her future career. The District and Ms. Alexander-Lane have agreed to make no further statement regarding her employment and the ending of her employment.”

Dr. Flanigan recently moved to Bishop from Pittsfield Maine.  Dr. Flanigan began his post at Northern Inyo in late August.

northern inyo hospital, dr. kevin flanigan, victoria alexander lane, bishop hospital