by Eric Mullens
WALSENBURG — Following in the wake of statements made by Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center CEO Todd Oberheu and Huerfano County Hospital District Board of Directors Chairman Bill Hix at the April 28th meeting of the county commissioners, the hospital district board met in a special session this week to set policies regarding use by outside entities of the health center and nursing home’s names.
In the April 28th meeting, Oberheu and Hix discussed concerns with the county commissioners regarding The Career Building Academy’s website saying the health center and state veterans community living center were partners in TCBA’s current home construction project. Oberheu and Hix emphatically stated neither facility were partners with the vocational education facility.
Hospital district board vice-chairman Al Tucker took exception to Oberheu and Hix’s remarks, saying the statements did not reflect the views of all board members.
Votes taken
The motion in special session Tuesday, May 12 authorized Oberheu and a district attorney to draw up a policy regarding use of the hospital and nursing home’s name to protect the entities from any possible legal issues that may arise when a third party uses those names. An amendment to the motion was added to cover entities associated with the hospital or nursing home, such as the Family, Outreach or La Veta clinics. The motion passed with board members Karen Wilson, Dr. Paul Coe, Hix and Ron Nielsen voting in favor. Tucker did not vote. The draft policy will be presented at next month’s regular board meeting.
Motion: Hix asked the members to signify their support or lack of support of his meeting with the commissioners regarding the Career Building Academy. Consensus – Oberheu and Hix attended the commissioners meeting and implied there was no contract with the Career Academy per the attorney’s advisement. 4 agreed; 1 abstained.
Motion: Nielsen moved the CEO or legal counsel draw up a policy for the use of facility name and trademark for the district or veterans home to be brought before the board for approval. An amendment was added include “any entity associated with the facility now or in the future.” Vote – 4 – agreed; 1 abstained.
Motion: Coe moved to authorize Hix to represent the board for further negotiations regarding use of facility name. Vote – 4 agreed; 1 against.
In addition, Hix asked that board members not incur liabilities for the organization without board approval. Oberheu asked if board members feel the need for a legal opinion on a matter, they notify him, as it will have budget implications.
Not against the plan
Administration and the board chairman said they are not opposed to TCBA’s plans to build a residential home for visiting families of veterans nursing home residents, but made it clear they are not in partnership.
The majority of the board and administration are concerned if public perception of TCBA’s project is directly linked to the Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center, the vocational school might be using that perception to their benefit for fund raising or donations of materials.
There have been informal meetings between TCBA and health care facility officials, but Oberheu said there had never been a formal partnership agreement.
Hix wrote to TCBA CEO Rick Johnson on April 24 outlaying requirements the school would have to meet to move forward with the home in any cooperation with the county hospital district and the veterans’ nursing facility. Hix and Oberheu say TCBA has never responded to the letter.
Tucker said in this week’s meeting he felt strongly that Hix did not have the authorization to write the letter on behalf of the elected board.
