Hospital purchasing new microscope for cataract surgery

Jefferson County Health Center will soon be getting a new eye microscope for cataract surgeries following the board of trustees? approval to spend $50,000 on the equipment.

Joneane Parker, vice president of clinical services, told the trustees during the board?s regular monthly meeting Monday evening a new eye microscope is necessary because the technical support for the one currently being used has dwindled to almost nothing.

According to Parker, Dr. Jonathan Cutler, ophthalmologist, researched replacing the equipment, and found a refurbished eye microscope that would come with a warranty. Plus, she added, the health center would be able to purchase a contract for preventative maintenance on the new eye microscope like it has for other equipment.

The health center?s current eye microscope does have some trade-in value, which should bring the cost of the replacement down to about $40,000, but because the price is not confirmed, Parker requested approval for the entire $50,000.

?If Dr. Culter needs it, we should approve it,? said trustee Grace Bogaards.

?We want to make sure he has the best equipment available,? added trustee Tom Kunkle. He added the number of cataract surgeries performed at the health center makes purchasing the equipment a good investment.

The board voted to approve purchasing the new surgical eye microscope.

In other business, CEO and health center administrator Deb Cardin told the trustees that the Clinkinbeard Education Fund, which helps staff members continue their educations, is running out of money.

Cardin said the fund was established at least 20 years ago with $185,000 given by Margaret Clinkinbeard. Clinkinbeard was a teacher for 31.5 years, 27 of those as a Latin teacher at Fairfield High School. She retired in June 1971 and has since passed away.

In the years since the educational fund was established, only the interest earned on the principal has been used, but, in today?s economy, not much interest is not being accumulated and only about $3,000 of interest remains.

Health center CEO Gene Irwin said the quarterly interest on the principal has dropped from $3,000 to $750.

Cardin said two employees are currently using the fund, and two more have applied for it, but the $3,000 is definitely not enough to cover what is needed.

?We need to decide if we are going to pay down on the principal,? said Cardin.

?The finance committee felt Miss Clinkenbeard gave it to be used, not to sit there and draw interest, even if it means exhausting the fund,? said board president Bob Keller.

?It?s unlikely it will continue forever,? said Cardin.

Kunkle suggested using the principal, but setting a $100,000 floor and revisiting the issue once the principal has dropped to $100,000.

The trustees approved Kunkle?s suggestion.

Also in her report to the trustees, Parker said the winter coats collected by the health center have been distributed to area schools and given to students who needed one.

?All the coats were distributed, and we?re really, really pleased,? she said.

Parker said the health center collected and donated more than 200 pounds of food, its $75 Kiwanis Kids? Day parade float winnings and its pop can fund to the Lord?s Cupboard to help with the Christmas box project.

The health center also had a Secret Santa project, which included a bake sale, to help raise funds for a patient in need. Parker said $500 was raised and given to the patient.

Parker also reminded the trustees about the wreaths displayed in the lobby. She said each department created a wreath for the silent auction, and the funds will go to support the JCHC Foundation.

The health center staff has accumulated 230 volunteer hours while benefiting the community through projects such as these, Parker said.