San Juan County PHD #1: First 2 medicaid patients at Village at the Harbor, budgets adopted, EMT class set for January
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of SJC Public Hospital District #1, October 25, 2023
PHD Superintendant/EMS Administrator Nathan Butler briefed the Board on the current EMS favorable budget status with no large expenditures the rest of the year. Laura Jack was hired as the PHD financial specialist. The final switch to full PHD financial control will not be completed until April 2024.
The EMS is working to integrate the EMS Community Paramedicine Program with the Home Care Program. The new Director of the Paramedicine Program is Ryder Cuddington, replacing Lainey Volk who is retiring after 40 years of EMS service. Maddie Harmon has been promoted to staff EMT.
A new Harborview Medical Center agreement will provide one-week EMT clinical observation opportunities. There will be an EMT class coming up in January. Chief Bishop is planning the training schedule for 2024. The new sheriff’s boat offers a good partnership with EMS as a needed alternative for patient transport.
Executive Director Evan Perrollaz said the Home Care Program will review policies and procedures next week, and then he will submit the licensing application. Approval will take 2-4 weeks, in line with a January soft launch. The program will include an online portal to facilitate caregiver and patient communication.
The Village at the Harbor held a garage sale to dispose of old furniture; the new furniture is scheduled for delivery. The remodel will be finished in three weeks. The Village welcomed its first two Medicaid patients.
New Business: The Board approved signing the joint County/Town letter regarding ferry service disruptions. The Board had previously sent their own letter focused on ferry service disruptions on medical care access.
The Board: 1) approved PHD 2024 budget; 2) authorized the 2024 PHD tax levy; 3) approved EMS 2024 budget; 4) authorized the 2024 EMS tax levy. The Board adopted the certification of the PHD and EMS tax levies to the WA DOR.
The Board approved $15,000 for the American Heart Association Center training program for CPR/AED training.
Holiday regular meetings will be November 15 and December 20.
*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.