The Bradley County Medical Center Board of Directors met Thursday, April 23, for its regular monthly meeting, receiving a report on the hospital’s 2025 fiscal year audit and updates on finances, staffing and patient services.
Representatives from Wipfli LLP presented the audit findings prior to the meeting being called to order. The board then approved minutes from its March meeting.
Controller Matt Pace reported declines in both patient days and visits for the previous month and year. March financials showed a net loss of $562,000, while accounts receivable decreased by $600,000. The Rural Health Clinic reported $153,000 in total revenue, and $108,000 was added to the hospital’s sales tax fund.
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Leslie Huitt said the income statement reflected increased costs associated with new reagents for a lab analyzer, though those expenses were offset by the use of previously approved sales tax funds. She added that overall expense control remains strong.
Huitt also noted continued improvement at the Rural Health Clinic, which saw 58 new patients in March. Additionally, she announced that employee health insurance premiums will not increase this year following the hospital’s transition to a self-funded plan on May 1, 2025.
“We have more money in our funds than claims we have paid out, so no increase was needed this year,” Huitt said.
Chief Nursing Officer Jamie Wolfe said the hospital will begin an agreement May 4 with Gentiva Hospice to provide general inpatient hospice care. The service is designed for short-term management of acute pain or symptoms that cannot be controlled at home. Staff training for the program was completed last week.
Wolfe also reported cost-saving measures, including a reduction in linen expenses of up to $1,000 per week, and said patient census had increased in recent days. He commended Lisa Hanson for her work managing staffing challenges in the Senior Care Unit, which is now fully staffed and undergoing training.
Chief Operating Officer Leeanna Williams updated the board on community outreach and operational improvements. She said Dr. Biggers and Dr. Gregory will contribute medical articles to the local newspaper every other week.
Williams also announced enhancements in radiology services, including providing patients with printouts containing links and QR codes for imaging access by outside providers. Traditional discs will remain available if needed. She added that the hospital is exploring third-party options to reduce servicing contract costs.
The board approved updates to the medical staff bylaws, including the addition of an advanced practice registered nurse to the emergency room staff and revised language and clarification of automatic suspension criteria. Three annual policies were also approved.
The board then entered executive session.
The next meeting of the Bradley County Medical Center Board of Directors is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2026.
