Lake Chelan Health Board gets advice
from hospital management consultant
By Gary Bégin
CHELAN – Community hospital management consultant Tad Hunt presented a “slide show” at the Lake Chelan Health Board’s January 12 meeting. He is listed as a “senior director” of the firm Huron/Studer Group and his presentation was part of a contract signed with that group about one year ago.
Board Chairman Phyllis Gleasman said, “Tad Hunt is a consultant with Studer/Huron, an organization that provides training for building individual skills. LCH contracted with Studer/Huron to develop organizational excellence by providing guidance to employees, for team alignment, productivity, improve collaboration between leadership and their teams, and the Board.”
Gleasman continued, “A segment of the contract, and included in the overall coaching, was the Board presentation at the last LCH Board meeting (in January).”
Hunt has decades of experience in the hospital administration field and has been the CEO of two community hospitals.
In his talk to the Board, Hunt mentioned the importance of keeping the Board itself from micro-managing the day-in and day-out operations of the hospital and stated in no uncertain terms that the only targeted employee guided and managed by the Board directly was LCH CEO George Rohrich.
The following criteria was listed by Hunt as the essential duties of the Board:
In regards to CEO Rohrich, Hunt revealed his opinions of expected performance criteria.
Hunt listed nine guiding principles the Board should adhere to:
Hunt also indicated the fiscal responsibilities expected by any health board stating, “Most surveys of top issues confronting hospitals and health systems clearly show financial challenges to be the number one issue.” Hunt then expressed these financial expectations of a board:
The contract, officially entitled “Studer Group Coaching Services and Accelerators,” calls for getting periodic coaching and management advice as well as making payments of $16,846 monthly to the consulting firm. Those payments began in May of last year.
The three-year deal was signed by LCH CEO Rohrich in January, 2020 for a total cost of $202,153. The agreement contains “opt out” provisions for LCH based on performance of the firm and the satisfaction of same by LCH. Both parties to the contract have a required 90-day notice prior to any cancellation.
The Studer Group is headquartered in Pensacola, Florida, while consultant Hunt gave the presentation from his office in Nebraska. Hunt has more than 30-years experience in the field and “is passionate about working with organizations to improve the patient experience and empowering employees to provide high-quality care,” according to his website.
“The desired outcome of the program is to align all employees with the vision and mission of the hospital; leadership, executive teams, to "boots on the floor" and develop a team building environment,” said Chairman Gleasman.
“The Board and leadership continually work towards improving the hospital
and quality care for all patients,” concluded Gleasman.
For more information, go to the Lake Chelan Mirror website to see the entire meeting presentation and the contract.
Managing Editor Gary Bégin can be reached at Gary@ncwmedia.net. Comments may be published as Letters to the Editor in future NCW Media editions.
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