Hospital board selects new president

The Wrangell Medical Center board unanimously elected Terri Henson to the board presidency Oct. 16, replacing Woody Wilson.

Board members elected Bernie Massin vice president, Cori Robinson as secretary and Barb Conine as treasurer. The board re-organization meeting took place in the wake of the Oct. 1 election, in which Henson and Massin were re-elected to the board without opposition.

Wilson served as board president from Aug. 29 and was the first medical center board president after a recall election removed six board members. Wilson lead through a tumultuous era, when the Wrangell Medical Center saw three different CEOs, a series of lawsuits and countersuits against the medical center board, and the suspension of a plan to build a new hospital, though that plan is currently undergoing review by Peace Health, and may re-emerge in the future.

Wilson was also nominated, but declined because a new job requires frequent travel. Wilson has attended the medical center board's last two sessions via telephone.

"I think it (the board presidency) carries a bit more responsibility," Henson said. "It pretty much feels the same to be on the board."

Henson said she was focused on maintaining positive forward motion for the board in the wake of a sometimes chaotic transition period.

"That's something I think is on everyone's mind," she said. She's focused on "getting everyone settled back down. There was a lot of controversy during that time, and if we keep in a positive motion forward, employees will have a better feel about working here."

The medical center board received the results of an audit from that same period from auditing firm BDO Seidman.

Eric Campbell reported the results of the audit via telephone.

"Considering how much turnover there was, it was in relatively good shape," he said.

The board also heard from CEO Marla Sanger that the hospital could soon have four permanent new registered nurses. Sanger later said they have three personnel for sure, while a fourth nurse is currently awaiting a signed offer letter.

"We're really excited about this," she said.

The hospital had previously been served by a series of traveling nurses. One of the traveling nurses has decided to stay on as a permanent RN, while another nurse has had a long-time interest in Wrangell. Two other nurses were hired through a hiring agency.

A possible continuation of Sanger's contract was originally slated to take place in open session, but was moved to after a closed-door executive session by board member Wilson. Board members took no action on the contract after the executive session.

Board members also took on committee assignments, and reviewed a new confidentiality agreement.