WARREN, Ark. (10/24/25) – The Bradley County Medical Center Board of Directors met Thursday, Oct. 23 in the hospital’s conference room for the first time since the new fiscal year began at the start of October. Financial reports, executive updates, and policy approvals were among the items discussed.
Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously before Controller Matt Pace gave his financial report. Pace informed the board members that most services were about the same or a little up from the previous month. The gross patient revenue came in at $3,392,337, while the net operating revenue was $1,673,172. There was a net loss of $130,135 in September, while sales tax collected $115,107.50 to put the sales tax fund at $5,710,772.18.
CEO/CFO Leslie Huitt began by saying cash has increased, accounts receivable decreased, but collections are down. Concerning the previous fiscal year, the hospital was very close to where they had budgeted to be, even though revenue was down due to volumes being down. However, there was a 4.2% decrease in expenses that helped make up for that. The hospital still has work to do on improving collections.
Huitt reported that volumes are trending up when you compare September to August and looks to be continuing so far into October. Moving forward managers are going to look at volumes more often than monthly and identify where marketing may help increase volumes. She also updated the board on the OBBBA funding for rural hospitals. They are in wait and see mode from the state as there were many proposals submitted to the state.
For Huitt’s last bit of business, she asked the board to approve the purchase of a new portable X-ray machine with the use of sales tax funds. The cost is $132,000 and the board unanimously approved the use of $140,000 to purchase the machine with the extra funds available should any surprise charges or price increases happen. Lastly, she told the board that the installation of the speed bumps on Jolley Street has started with one being completed with the other one scheduled to be put in soon.
Chief Nursing Officer Jamie Wolfe’s update started with the announcement of another diabetic education class on Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. The hospital held one earlier this month and would like to conduct them monthly with the dietitian from CURA Hospitality (BCMC’s dietary partner) leading the class. These classes are open to the public. Additionally, he informed the board that the hospital has students from UAM’s Practical Nursing program on site along with students from SouthArk’s nursing program.
Lastly, Wolfe said there were 11 COVID-19 cases in September, but there have only been two so far in October. There was one flu in September and none so far yet in October. BCMC began giving out flu shots to employees at the beginning of the month. He also commended Dr. Bradley Biggers and the ER staff as they had a very busy day on Wednesday, Oct. 22 along with Dr. Biggers having several patients on the floor to look after as the hospitalist. Huitt also added that she had a student compliment Dr. Nasir Zareen in the ER after working a shift with him.
Chief Operating Officer Leeanna Williams reminded the board that cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is scheduled to start on Monday, Nov. 3 with staff training all next week to prepare. She also touched on the transition of several business center staff back to being hospital employees as opposed to employees of the contracted company Medical Office Systems (MOS), though the hospital will still be receiving services from MOS.
The meeting moved on to policy approvals with the Pharmacy and Emergency Room departments up for annul approval. Both were passed unanimously. There were also three new policies brought before the board. Those policies were Senior Care Nurse-Driven Standing Protocol Orders, Home Health Vital Sign Reporting Parameters, and New Lots of Quality Control in the Laboratory. All three were approved unanimously by the board.
The board then went into executive session with medical staff recommendations approved unanimously.
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