The publicly appointed board of the hospital authority that owns Hutcheson Medical Center took steps Monday to shed light on the struggling hospital’s financial situation.
“They’re trying to get a better feel for where we are financially,” Don Weldon, board chairman for the Hospital Authority of Walker, Dade and Catoosa Counties, said after a special called meeting Monday.
At the meeting, trustees voted to bring on former Trustee Don Oliver as legal counsel for the Hospital Authority.
CORPORATE STRUCTUREHutcheson Medical Center, a publicly owned community hospital, is governed by the boards of five entities.* Hutcheson Medical Center Inc. — The private nonprofit company, created in 1995, operates the hospital. It leases the former Memorial Tri-County Hospital building from the local hospital authority and has a 13-member board to oversee daily operations.* Hospital Authority of Walker, Dade and Catoosa Counties — The authority owns the hospital building and oversees Hutcheson Medical Center’s 40-year lease through a nine-person board appointed by county commissioners.* Hutcheson Medical Division — The for-profit sister company to Hutcheson Medical Center was established to operate medical office facilities and practices. Its board oversees Hutcheson’s clinics.* Hutcheson Health Enterprises — The nonprofit parent company of Hutcheson Medical Center and Hutcheson Medical Division has a 13-person board.* Hutcheson Health Foundation — The nonprofit foundation was established to raise money supporting the hospital’s mission to serve residents of Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties. Its board has more than 25 members.Source: Hutcheson Medical Center officials; Hutcheson financial statements
Oliver resigned from the board at its last regular meeting to take on this role.