Myrtue Board makes reappointments

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees Rick Rasmussen and Jim Zimmerman have been reappointed to serve one year terms on the Shelby County Medical Corporation Board of Directors. Their reappointments were made at the June meeting of the MMC Board of Trustees.
    MMC CEO Barry Jacobsen updated the board on various topics including the progress of the hiring of architects for the master facility plans. Jacobsen said he and Chuck Assman (facilities director) have had interviews with five of the seven architects which responded and are narrowing it down to three architects for reference calls and potential site visits. Jacobsen expects to bring more information to the July board meeting following more evaluations.
    As far as physician recruitment, Jacobsen said a family practice doctor (with Southwest Iowa ties) was scheduled to come for a visit at the end of June. She is just completing her first year of residency and will graduate in 2020.
    Jacobsen reported in the primary care area, Holly Christensen has worked in the Earling MMC clinic for several years and will now be transitioning away from the Earling clinic. Christensen will be working more in the IT area and will also be taking over some additional emergency room shifts. He noted she also does quite a bit of teaching for MMC.
    Jacobsen said MMC is in the process of recruiting for her replacement. He stated she will not be leaving the Earling clinic until a replacement is on board. Jacobsen said there have been some good applicants for that position so hopefully an announcement will be made soon.
    Also under recruitment in behavioral health Cristin Patent will be leaving MMC. Patent oversaw the substance abuse program. Brittany Miller is already on board to replace Patent. Also in the behavioral area, Katie Sandquist began June 1 as a school based counselor for the 6-12 grades. An announcement for the K-5 counselor should be made soon according to Jacobsen.