Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

An allegation of abuse, a pharmacist’s resignation and the upcoming $22 million bond measure were the focus of the Kern Valley Healthcare District Sept.1 board meeting.

This month no one spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, and Board Chair Victoria Alwin proceeded on to the routine monthly reports.

Trustees Dr. Robert Gross, left, and Victoria Alwin exchange looks during the Sept. 1 board meeting.

Joan Amos, Hospital Foundation president, shared some good news with the board. “I am honored to be a part of this foundation and am pleased to say that we have been able, along with other community organizations and individuals, to raise almost $12,000 to donate our local high school ECHO program.” Amos also mentioned the Foundation’s upcoming annual Peddler’s Fair which will be held Oct. 1-2 at the Family Life Center in Wofford Heights.

Giving the medical staff report for an absent Dr. Findstad, Dr. Robert Gross spoke of the Aug. 23 E.R. incident in which a registered nurse was alleged to have abused an elderly female patient. “I wanted to give kudos to the staff for their handling of the incident the other night,” Gross said. “I think they deserve a lot of credit for learning from the other things we have been through and I think it was fantastic how they handled it.”

In his report, Chief Nursing Officer, Mark Gordon echoed Gross’s sentiments, “The E.R. is where people go when they need compassion, care, support and understanding. It angers me and saddens me that we have to pursue a report like that.” Gordon went on to add, “We responded fiercely and quickly to the concern.”

A few eyebrows were raised in the audience when CEO Tim McGlew announced the resignation of retail pharmacist Larry Busch. Complaints about the pharmacist were voiced publicly at last month’s board meeting. McGlew, who has been meeting with various local groups as part of an effort to inform the community about the upcoming bond measure said, “We continue to get out to try and talk with as many people as we can to share with them why we need to do this and the value of this to the hospital.”

Along the same lines, board chair Victoria Alwin encouraged fellow trustee Dr. Bob Gross to head up a new ad hoc committee that will work with district administration to help promote the upcoming General Obligation Bond Measure. After some initial hesitancy, Gross accepted the position.

The KVHD board meets the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria. The public is always welcome to attend.