Tag Archives: northern inyo healthcare district

Community News, Local News

City of Bishop Declares May as Healthcare District Month

As the world continues to celebrate healthcare workers, the City of Bishop chose to salute its local healthcare and first responders Monday night with a proclamation naming May as Healthcare District Month.

This is not the first time the City recognized healthcare workers in May. For the past several years, the City set aside May as Healthcare District Month, and May traditionally housed National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. The arrival of the Coronavirus indeed lent itself to expanding this recognition to include the first responders and county-based public healthcare staff who work alongside Northern Inyo Healthcare District.

Kelli Davis, Interim Chief Executive Officer, told the council that this recognition focuses on all the community heroes, who are working tirelessly through the crisis at hand. “These first four months of 2020 have been very trying, frightening, and devastating throughout the United States and in our small communities through the Eastern Sierra due to the pandemic,” Davis said.

While many of the frontline workers are obviously our physicians and nurses, Davis noted that other often-unsung heroes contribute to the health and well-being of the community during trying times such as this. These include, but are not limited to, firefighters, air ambulance teams, police officers, paramedics, EMTs, hospital and county teams at every level, and many other community workers required to respond to health-related needs and medical emergencies.

“We are very appreciative of the action our City Council is taking in honoring all of these community members,” Davis said. “These workers continue to risk their personal safety to execute their respective duties, day in and day during this crisis. Honoring our healthcare workers and first responders by proclaiming May as Healthcare District Month demonstrates the appreciation and heartfelt thanks for these folks and the work they are doing on the front lines against the pandemic we have been facing for the past few months and will continue to face for some time.”

Before the City Council read the proclamation into the official record, Mayor Laura Smith paused to recognize some of those who contributed to the team effort. Those workers included: Northern Inyo Healthcare District’s Andrea Daniels, Denice Hynd, Dr. Stacey Brown, Jannalyn Lawrence, Krissy Alcala, Amy Stange, Janice Jackson, Genifer Owens, Emily Smith, Tanya DeLeo, and Scott Hooker; along with Symons Ambulance’s Judd Symons; Sierra Life Flight’s Mike Patterson; Bishop Volunteer Fire Chief Joe Dell; Big Pine Fire Chief Damon Carrington; Chalfant Valley Fire Chief Steve Lindeman; and, Inyo County Public Health’s Anna Scott.

“Our community deeply appreciates the work that’s been done and continues to be done within the healthcare district and beyond,” Mayor Smith said.

Community News, Local News

Coronavirus Arrives in Inyo County

Inyo County has its first confirmed COVID-19 case.

The first Coronavirus patient has been identified as a 42-year old female living in Bishop. According to Northern Inyo Hospital Rural Health Director, Stacey Brown, the patient came down with symptoms including a fever, cough, chills, body aches, headaches, and low-grade fever.

Health officials instructed the female victim to self-quarantine at her house.

When asked about the status of the patient, Dr. Stacey Brown said he was unsure about the health status of the individual. “I don’t know, but I will reach out to her. As far as I know, she is recuperating at home.”

Brown emphasized that just because a person does not have severe symptoms, does not mean there is no cause for concern.  “This is a great example of how COVID can appear pretty mild in a person. She got tested for a flu and that came back negative. Then she tested positive for COVID, and we got results after a four-day turnaround. The spread [of coronavirus] can present itself in many ways.”

So far, NIHD has conducted fifty-five total tests. Out of those tests, twenty-two are negative, while thirty-two are pending.

The Hospital’s Drive-In testing center was where the patient tested positive for the virus. “The drive-in testing clinic that the district put together was successful in finding our first case in a safe manner,” Brown expressed.

Dr. Brown said the staff responsible for testing the female took all proper measures to minimize the risk of contracting novel coronavirus. “I am really proud of what we have done as far as collecting specimens in a safe manner,” said the Rural Health Clinic Director.

The district will be switching from a surveillance strategy into a containment plan. With containment as the top priority, Brown expressed that the way the hospital goes about testing for coronavirus will be different.

“The testing we do for COVID is going to be focused more on healthcare members so we can get staff back into duty quickly. Testing will also be for acute patients, correctional facilities, and long-term care centers like the Bishop Care Center. We are testing right now, but not for the general public.” Dr. Brown stated.

Director Brown encouraged the public to practice the same strategies health officials have emphasized since the start of this pandemic. Nothing has changed when it comes to combating coronavirus. “Now that we know it is here, it is much more about containing the illness and talking about things like social distancing, hand washing, cleaning surfaces, etc. There is nothing new we have on the horizon from a public health perspective just because it is here.” Brown said.

KIBS/KBOV Announcements, Local News

NEW HOURS FOR NIH LOBBY

 Safer lobby hours at NIH go into effect July 10th.

by Seth Conners

As a continued effort to provide safety for hospital staff and members of the public, Northern Inyo Hospital has announced it’s new lobby hours to become effective on Sunday July 10th.
The new schedule will see the hospitals lobby open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.  People who require lab services during the week  are advised to arrive no later than 5:30 p.m., with the weekend lab hours remaining at 7:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Visitors after 6 p.m. will now be asked to enter through the Emergency Department entrance at the rear of the hospital where security will be posted.
These changes will reduce Main Lobby hours but will improve security by limiting access points to the healthcare facility during overnight hours.

Bishop Hospital, Northern Inyo Healthcare District, Hospital Security, New Lobby Hours, Emergency Room Hours, Hospital Hours
Local News

NIH Healthy Lifestyle Talk

NIH Healthy Lifestyle Talk focuses on
lowering the risk for colorectal cancer

March 22, 2016
submitted by Northern Inyo Hospital

As part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Allison Robinson will give a free educational talk on “Lowering Your Risk for Colorectal Cancer,” Thursday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. at the Northern Inyo Hospital Birch Street Annex, 2957 Birch St., Bishop.
More than 140,000 men and women are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. Yet with early detection, this disease remains one of the most treatable forms of cancer. Dr. Robinson will talk about risk factors for developing colorectal cancer and the tests available for preventing and detecting it.

Dr. Robinson, a retired U.S. Navy Captain, is double Board certified in General Surgery with specialization in Colon and Rectal Surgery. Previously, she served as a Staff Surgeon for the Naval Medical Center in San Diego and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda.

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, northern inyo healthcare district, dr. allison robinson
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
Community News, Local News

Northern Inyo Hospital’s Employees give big

Northern Inyo Healthcare District Employees’ surpass Holiday Gift Drive goal

submitted by Northern Inyo Hospital

They made their lists. They checked them twice. When all was said and done, the employees of Northern Inyo Healthcare District surpassed the100-person goal set for their 2015 Holiday Gift Drive.
Enough gifts were gathered to provide holiday gift packages to all Bishop Care Center patients, all those NIHD adopted from Airway Medical’s Wish Upon a Star tree, plus all Southern Inyo Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility patients.

NIH15_HolidayGiftResults_FINAL

Shown here with the delivery-ready gifts, clockwise from top left, are NIHD’s Wendy Runley, Quality And Performance Improvement Coordinator; Kevin S. Flanigan, MD MBA, Interim Chief Executive Officer; Kristen Bernasconi, Quality Improvement Analyst; and Barbara Laughon, Strategic Communications Specialist.
Photo by Steve Tordoff/ Northern Inyo Healthcare District

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 california hospital, northern inyo healthcare district, bishop california

 

Local News

Mary Mae Saves the Day

Mary Mae Kilpatrick fills vacancy on
Northern Inyo Healthcare District Board of Directors

Kilpatrick steps up to fill a vacancy on NIH board.

Submitted By Northern Inyo Hospital.

West Bishop resident Mary Mae Kilpatrick was named to the Northern Inyo Healthcare District (NIHD) Board of Directors during the board’s regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening. She will be formally sworn into office Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Mrs. Kilpatrick, the retired Superintendent of the Round Valley Elementary School District, was the only applicant to file for the recent Zone 4 vacancy. An Ad Hoc Committee of current board directors Denise Hayden and Pete Watercott interviewed Mrs. Kilpatrick before recommending her appointment to remaining board members MC Hubbard and John Ungersma, MD. The appointment was approved 4-0.
Mrs. Kilpatrick will complete the term vacated last month by long-time director D. Scott Clark, MD. Dr. Clark stepped down from the board following his retirement so that he could pursue other interests. Mrs. Kilpatrick will serve just shy of one year before determining if she will run for formal election to the Board in November 2016.
A Bishop resident for the past 58 years, Mrs. Kilpatrick is best known for her 38-year career as first an elementary school teacher and then the Superintendent of Round Valley Elementary School District. Among the highlights of her career, she was named Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America, and was the first mentor teacher approved by the State of California.
Many local organizations have benefitted from Mrs. Kilpatrick’s volunteer leadership, including Playhouse 395, the High Sierra Chapter of Sweet Adelines, the Bishop Community Concert Association, the Bishop Friendship Center and the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 118. She also serves on the Northern Inyo Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.
“Since accepting a position on the Northern Inyo Hospital Foundation Board, I have gained a wealth of knowledge regarding the services of our hospital,” Mrs. Kilpatrick said Thursday. “I would like to learn more about its rules and procedures by contributing my time and energy assisting the Board in their leadership, and promoting the growth and good will of Northern Inyo Hospital.”

Zone 3 Director and fellow NIH Foundation member Pete Watercott said Mrs. Kilpatrick’s inquisitive and engaging manner will serve the board well. “I can tell you why she is such a great educator,” he began. “It’s because she’s such a great student. Mary Mae asks a lot of questions and she always seeks out the information behind the issues.”
Kevin S. Flanigan, MD MBA, Interim CEO for NIHD, excitedly described “the positive energy Mrs. Kilpatrick has brought to the NIH Foundation Board meetings.” He said he looks forward to “that same energy, depth of experience, community commitment and new ideas that she brings to NIHD as we focus on our mission- improving our communities, one life at a time. One Team. One Goal. Your Health.”
She is married to Charles J. “Chuck” Kilpatrick, a retired insurance agent and long-time community volunteer. The couple has one daughter, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Kilpatrick will represent Northern Inyo Healthcare District residents living in the following service boundaries:
Precinct 30: City of Bishop, West Line Street to south end of City, west of Main Street
Precinct 44: Highland, Sunset, Watterson
Precinct 45: North of Sierra Vista Way, Irene Way
Precinct 46: South of Sierra Vista Way, Underwood
Precinct 47: Reservation, west of Barlow, north of West Line Street
Precinct 48: Reservation, east of Barlow, north of West Line Street
Precinct 50: South of West Line Street, Barlow to Main Street

Mrs. Kilpatrick will be sworn into office during the next NIHD Board of Directors meeting, set for Tuesday, Jan. 19, 5:30 p.m. The meeting date was moved back one day from the normal monthly schedule to allow the board members to attend a leadership training session with the Association of California Hospital Districts.

MMKilpatrick

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, northern inyo healthcare district, bishop hospital
Local News

Northern Inyo Hospital Lifestyle Talk

NIHD Healthy Lifestyle Talk centers on bone health

submitted by Northern Inyo Hospital:

December’s Healthy Lifestyle Talk by Northern Inyo Healthcare District (NIHD) will feature Dr. Stacey Brown of the NIHD Rural Health Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. at the NIH Birch Street Annex, 2957 Birch Street, Bishop.

Dr. Brown will focus on the health of our skeleton, including normal bone metabolism and bone disorders, osteoporosis, bone density screening and bone metabolism.

Dr. Brown is a local board-certified family physician, specializing in all aspects of primary care.

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, northern inyo healthcare district, bishop hospital, dr stacey brown
Local News

Northern Inyo Hospital Board Vacancy

Healthcare District filling Dr. Clark’s seat

Dr. Scott Clark recently stepped down from the Northern Inyo Healthcare District (NIH Board) creating a vacancy in Zone 4.  Those interested in serving on the Northern Inyo Hospital Board must apply by November 30th.  Current board members include President (zone 5) M.C. Hubbard (term expires November of 2018), Vice President (zone 2) Denise Hayden (term expires November of 2016), Treasure (zone 3) Peter Watercott (term expires November 2018), and (zone 1) Dr. John Ungersma (term expires November 2016).
Northern Inyo Hospital released the following notice:

Northern Inyo Healthcare District has declared a vacancy on its Board of Directors. The term of office would run through the first Friday in December of 2016. Requirements for this office are being a registered voter living in the District and a resident of Zone 4 NIHD service boundaries, which consist of the following:

Precinct 30: City of Bishop, West Line St. to South end of City, West of Main Street

Precinct 44: Highland, Sunset, Watterson

Precinct 45: North of Sierra Vista Way, Irene Way

Precinct 46: South of Sierra Vista Way, Underwood

Precinct 47: Reservation, West of Barlow, North of West Line Street

Precinct 48: Reservation, East of Barlow, North of West Line Street

Precinct 50: South of West Line St., Barlow to Main St.

An Ad Hoc Committee of the current District Board of Directors will conduct interviews to fill this vacancy. To be considered for appointment to this vacancy, please provide the following:

• Letter or Statement of Interest

• Resume/curriculum vitae, including any public service background (optional)

Interested persons are also asked to complete an Application for Appointment to a Special District Vacancy, and a Conflict of Interest Form (California Form 700) which are available in the Administration Office or in the front lobby of Northern Inyo Hospital, located at 150 Pioneer Lane, Bishop CA; and on the Northern Inyo Hospital website, www.nih.org; or they may be obtained by calling (760) 873-2838.

To be considered for an appointment to the Board of Directors, your letter of interest, resume, application, and Form 700 must be received by Sandy Blumberg, Clerk of the Board, Northern Inyo Healthcare District, 150 Pioneer Lane, Bishop, CA 93514 and/or by email to: sandy.blumberg@nih.org and/or by fax at (760) 872-5802 by November 30, 2015.

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