Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

It was standing room only at the Feb. 4 Kern Valley Healthcare District Board meeting. If the large crowd was hoping for an interesting evening, they weren’t disappointed. Right off the bat, Kay Knight announced that Sherry Deppermann, Hospital Chief Clinical Officer, had submitted her resignation to the district. Knight stated that the although the board was sorry to see her leave, they wished Deppermann, who has been with the district for the past 22 months, well in her future endeavors

The floor was then opened for comments from the public. Considering the numbers in attendance, surprisingly no one came forward. That was not to be the case later on. When it was time to pass the consent agenda, Laura Hart of Southlake, asked for some clarification regarding the VALIC Retirement Plan Contribution. Chet Beedle, Chief Financial Officer for the District, provided an overview of the process by which the district determines whether or not it can match an employee portion in any given year. Tthe agenda was then approved. Joan Amos, President of the Hospital Foundation, stated that the foundation is concentrating its efforts at this time on the upcoming Heart Walk. The event is expected to draw as many as 400 participants this year.

Alicia Audette was up next to give her report on the KVHD Auxiliary. They too have a big undertaking that they are focusing all of their efforts on at this time, the remodeling of the Thrift Shop. The store will be closed from Feb. 17 until March 16. Sales have been extremely high the last few weeks as merchandise has been substantially discounted to make space for the upcoming remodel. The Thrift Shop and the Hospital Gift Shop garnered the District well in excess of $100,000 last year, Audette said.

Both Tracy Brown, Nursing Administrator, and Deppermann provided their reports for January. Deppermann spoke mostly about recruiting activity for nurses and a new pharmacist manager. She also mentioned her resignation, stating that Feb. 27 will be her last day with the District.

Filling in for the absent Gary Finstad, M.D. Chief of Staff, board member Robert Gross, provided the monthly report. “The hospital has been a very busy place over the last month and the staff have held up very well,” Gross said. “The staff needs to be commended.”

Beedle then gave his overview on the district’s fiscal activity over the last month. According to the CFO, the bottom line is that the financial situation continues to improve month by month. Although this was a positive for most of those in attendance, Hart, a self-proclaimed healthcare activist, continued to pepper the board with questions. Hart has become a familiar sight in recent months accompanied by an associate who videotapes each meeting. Despite requests from the board chair or CEO Rick Carter to abide by the three-minute time limit allotted to the public, the board ceded to Hart as she refused to curtail her lengthy questions and comments.

Carter reported there will be another planning session in March. This comes on the heels of a “very successful” planning session held last fall. Carter also discussed the district's upcoming Annual Heart Walk fundraiser on Feb. 28 adding, “When I first assumed this position, I was overwhelmed by the incredible amount of community support for the event and for the district itself.”

The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria. That meeting, as always, is open to the public.