PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Healthcare commissioners said that their trip to Atlanta was exactly what they needed.
But this was no vacation. For nine hours a day, four consecutive days, the five commissioners studied policy.
“It definitely wasn’t a pleasure trip,” said Chuck Russell, chairman of the board for Jefferson County Public Health Service District No. 2.
“It was a thorough, intensive training on how to transition to policy-based governance.”
The cost for the consultant who trained the commissioners was $19,200, said Suzy White, executive assistant at the hospital.
White said that would not be the total cost of the trip, since the commissioners would be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Russell said the commissioners wanted the training because they felt they were getting too caught up in day-to-day operations at the hospital.
They believe this will change that.
“It’s probably going to be a transparent change to the public, but it will definitely help internally,” Russell said.
“Now the board will deal with policy and the administration will handle administration duties.”
Jefferson Healthcare, a public hospital district, is owned by the taxpayers of East Jefferson County and is operated as a municipal corporation by the elected commissioners who oversee the district’s operations.
Feels trip worthwhile
Russell said he felt the cost was worth every penny.
“It was a little more expensive to do it that way, but it eliminated the distraction factor.
“We worked in total concentration all day long.”
Commissioner Jill Buhler also said the trip was worthwhile.
“It’s the best thing we’ve done as a board as far as I’m concerned.
“It will make us stronger, show us where we need to concentrate our efforts and give us a chance to focus on the community.”
Buhler said she believed that the board will be better able to act as a conduit between the community and the hospital staff.
Commissioner Kathy Hill said she agreed.
“Our job is to set policy for the people and then make sure that policy is carried out,” she said.
“Now when people ask me what the board does I will answer that we do all the policy that the hospital operates under.”
Commissioners Tony DeLeo and Dr. Mark Mauney also participated in the workshop.
Russell said there are plans to bring in consultants for administration staff in the future.
Hospital commission meetings are at 3 p.m. on the first, second and third Wednesdays of every month in the hospital auditorium at 834 Sheridan Ave., Port Townsend.
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Jefferson County reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsula dailynews.com.
