By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Henry County Medical Center CEO John Tucker told county commissioners Monday evening that the hospital should “start seeing activity in a week or two” from the forensic accounting firm hired to investigate allegations of improprieties in the hospital’s COVID funding from 2020 to 2021.
Anonymous complaints were lodged with the Tennessee Comptroller’s office and Tucker said hospital officials are waiting to hear from the accounting firm hired to investigate those allegations.
Tucker also told commissioners the hospital has paused its emergency department renovations “to involve our Architectural team at TLM to ensure we are creating functional and usable space that is also aesthetically pleasing to our patients and staff.”
“I think we were going to roll out something that was unappealing”, he said. Some 2,000 patients come through the ER each month “so it’s very important we get it right”. He said the hospital also is working with its Emergency Department physician group to improve patient care throughout the ER.
Tucker, who was hired last summer, said the surgery center has been redesigned and is moving toward having that location functional again to improve patient care and convenience for physicians. “We’re looking to move back in there in 12 months”, he said.
HCMC will celebrate Dr. Chandler’s 1,000th Robotic Total Knee Replacement at 2 p.m. November 9, which Tucker said is “an outstanding achievement”.
The hospital’s DaVinci Model X has been upgraded to a newer XI, which will expand the surgical capabilities of the hospital’s physicians. “No hospital our size has a DaVinci XI”, he said.
As was reported earlier, the Women’s Center has secured renewed commitments from Drs. Evans, Boxell and Whitfield so that care at the Paris Women’s Center will continue uninterrupted.
An offer has been extended to a pediatrician to join Paris Pediatrics and the hospital is working with a large primary care practice in the local community to evaluate the potential for them becoming part of the hospital’s network of primary care and specialty clinics. He said updates on that will be reported as soon as possible.
Commissioner Missy Hamilton welcomed Tucker to Paris, adding, “I’m sure you’ve heard all the negative you want to hear, so I’ll say welcome.”
In answer to a question from Commissioner Patrick Burns about the condition of county government buildings, County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway said there will be repairs needed in the buildings maintained by the county (which would include the annex, Central Building, courthouse and former Weston Hall) which would cost in the ballpark of $10M. A needs assessment of the county’s buildings is ongoing, he said. “It is going to be steep.”
In other business:
–The commission appointed Matt Liotta as Constable for District 5. Liotta currently is a Reserve Henry County Sheriff’s deputy and a part-time deputy on patrol as well as the supervisor-coordinator of the Reserve Deputies.
–Following a presentation by County Circuit Court Clerk Mike Wilson and lengthy discussion, the commission approved (with two ‘no’ votes and one abstintion) a resolution authorizing Henry County to match certain state educational incentive payments to county elected officials or county appointed officers.
Voting no were Commissioners Ricky Ward and Ralph Wiles, with Paul Neal abstaining.
After questions from the commission, County Trustee Randi French said, “This is nothing new. It’s just the first time we’ve asked for incentives like other counties already get”.
–County Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins invited commissioners and the public to an upcoming Innovation Summit which is set for 5:30 p.m. November 17. She said some 150 people are expected to attend. She said it is important for commissioners to be involved “because you are our partners and you represent your districts.”
–During the commissioners’ forum section of the meeting, Commissioner Ricky Wade said he is going to be strict about not accepting anything that could be construed as a gift from the public and that includes gift cards and people wanting to buy things for him when he’s out in public. He said he’s not trying to offend anyone but, “That is the only way I can do my job.”
Photo: Hospital CEO John Tucker answers a question from Commissioner Greg Carter during Monday night’s meeting. (Shannon McFarlin photo).