In the winter of 2010 seven Allen County citizens answered the call from the then-seated Allen County Commissioners to serve as trustees for a hospital, yet to be designed, at a location, yet to be determined, and with a name yet to be developed. Once those tasks were accomplished they were to sever the relationship with Hospital Corporation of America and hire employees to manage and operate the hospital under the supervision and governance of the trustees. It was my privilege to serve with six very competent and seasoned individuals who brought the combination of skills and work ethic to accomplish the tasks entrusted to them by the Commissioners.
I, personally, accepted the call somewhat reluctantly. My life was full, I was serving in other capacities, and I didnt feel the need for additional challenges. I was concerned, though, about reports I had heard of other public projects that had gone over budget and were not completed in a timely manner. When I did accept the challenge to serve as a trustee my goal was to do all I could to make sure the project came in on or under budget and on time. We, as a team of trustees would have accomplished both goals had the hospitals communications provider been able to get the necessary cable laid to the new facility when they had committed to do so.
Once we became an operational hospital it soon became apparent to me that providing the services of a hospital is a very competitive business. There are hospitals located in the counties north, east and south of Allen County that actively compete for the same customers we hope to serve.
I am no longer a trustee of Allen County Regional Hospital but my seven years of service in that capacity as well as my experience in the business world leads me to the conclusion that the only way to keep the new hospital from becoming another line item on the property tax statements of the property owners of Allen County is to get more feet (translates to revenue) through the door of the hospital. That can be accomplished in two ways.
First, we can each use that facility when we need the services the hospital provides. Given the opportunity they will earn your confidence and you will enjoy the convenience of competent and caring medical professionals close to home, here in Allen County. You will also be contributing to the financial stability of the hospital!
Second, the hospital needs a medical office building to provide office space for advanced medical professionals who will come to Allen County to meet with patients and to perform some of their services in our hospital. Again, this translates into more feet through the door of the hospital.
The county now has some discretionary funds because of the Enbridge Pipeline project and soon there will be more revenue from the wind farms to be constructed in the county. As Commissioners, I know you are looking for appropriate ways to use these funds. I believe investing in a medical office building NOW will be a good investment in the future of Allen County and will save the taxpayers money for years to come!
I capitalized the word NOW because generally when individuals establish a relationship with a medical service provider that relationship lasts for a long period of time. A delay in building a medical office building will delay establishing relationships with Allen County Regional Hospital and with the advanced medical professionals who will use the hospital and the medical office building. A delay will mean those feet will not be coming through the door of the hospital for several years if at all.
Thanks for your service to the county. May you be blessed with good health and wisdom as you serve!
Harry Lee, Jr.
LaHarpe, Kan.
