Annual General Meeting of the Corporation

July 17, 2013

Eleven members of the Geraldton District Hospital Corporation attended the Annual General Meeting held at the Northern Horizon Health Centre in Geraldton on Tuesday, June 25, 2013.

 

Reports were received from Victor Chapais, Chair, Kurt Pristanski, CEO, Dr. Laine, Chief of Medical Staff, Myrna Letourneau, Auxiliary President and Jamie McPherson, Treasurer.  Some highlights of the reports included:

 

• Master Plan:  The Hospital continues to work with the North West Local Health Integration Network and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care representatives in order to attain approval to relocate the Emergency Department from the lower      level to the upper level next to the Acute Care unit.  Hopefully the government will approve this $10 million project (one of 80 projects under consideration) to help improve services, stimulate the economy in the area and more importantly, to be ready for the “Ring of Fire” and/or other mining developments.

 

• Physician Recruitment:  Recruitment of physicians continues to be a challenge despite improvements to incentive packages offered by both the Hospital and Government.  Dr. Laine was pleased to confirm the addition of Dr. Hargassner and Dr. Hamilton to the medical staff.

 

• Professional Staff Recruitment:  The tuition fee reimbursement incentive established six years ago by the Hospital continues to be successful.  Several more nurses and a physiotherapist were recruited.     

 

• Operating Budget:  The Hospital is in a good financial position.  The surplus of $55,217 goes into hospital reserves to purchase equipment and fund projects in future years.

 

• Capital Budget:  The Hospital upgraded the air conditioning system in the Long-Term Care Unit of the Hospital.  Plans      are in process to upgrade the back-up generator system in 2013.

 

• Donations:  The Hospital was very grateful to the Auxiliary for their generous donation of slings and commode chairs, plus thousands of hours of volunteerism.

 

The Nominating Committee nominated 3 existing members for re-election and one new member for election.  Members of the Corporation did not nominate any candidates.  Thus, the 4 nominees Audrey Johnson, Jamie McPherson, Dale Randa and Margaret Anne Darling (new) were all acclaimed as Directors.  Also, Chico Tschajka was reappointed as a Director.

 

The Board is now comprised of the following members:

 

Jamie McPherson, Chair                        Shirley Tyance               Dr. Laine, Chief of Staff*

Victor Chapais, Vice Chair                     Margaret Ann Darling     Dr. Ed Hargassner, President of Medical Staff**

Deanna Thibault, Treasurer                     Audrey Johnston           Kurt Pristanski, Chief Executive Officer*

Melanie Lankin, Hospital Auxiliary           Willy Anton                   Laurie Heerema, Chief Nursing Officer*

Chico Tschajka, Industrial Representative                                   Sylvie Duranceau, Chief Clinical Officer*

Dale Randa                                                                               **non-voting members

 

If anyone is interested in receiving complete copies of the Reports and Financial Statements then please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Kurt Pristanski at 854-4107.

 

Si vous désirez recevoir ce communiqué en français, veillez appeler le 854-4102.