Box Butte General Hospital Board of Trustees met on July 28, 2025, in the Alliance Room to recognize new employees, receive department updates, and review hospital operations. Credentialing requests, the consent calendar, and the latest financial report were approved.
Quality and Safety Report
Quality Management Specialist Summer Gonzalez presented the Quality Management and Safety Report. The quality committee continues to collaborate with department managers to develop Key Performance Indicators and will present them for the board’s approval by the end of the third quarter. Accreditation Specialist Gail Burke presented The Joint Commission’s new model, Accreditation 360, and informed the board that these standards will go into effect on January 1, 2026. There will be new laboratory standards that will follow in 2027. Burke also shared that the hospital is reviewing alternative accreditation organizations that may be better suited to BBGH as a critical access and rural hospital.
Infection Prevention Specialist Amanda Sabo provided updates on infection trends. Sabo reported an increase of whooping cough (pertussis) and COVID-19 infections, while the occurrence of measles remains unchanged in Nebraska. Nationally, there is a rise in the occurrences of tick and mosquito-borne illnesses, with eighteen confirmed cases in Nebraska. Sabo was happy to report BBGH has been eighteen months free of central line associated bloodstream infections and catheter associated events as well. “This is a credit to a knowledgeable and dedicated staff, and the strong processes they have built in their departments,” said Sabo.
Staff Reports
Chief of Staff Dr. Narjes expressed concern about potential future pandemics due to vaccine hesitancy. He is seeing an increase in parental skepticism and decreased willingness to vaccinate children. He warned that BBGH providers may become more familiar with diseases that they have not encountered for more than fifteen years due to the misinformation about vaccines. Dr. Shelmadine reported on updates to the medical staff bylaws and shared that a meeting was held with the medical staff regarding emergency department coverage. He also announced the upcoming retirement of Dr. Mark Chu, effective at the end of October.
Financial Report
The Lutz Accounting Firm, serving as Interim CFO, informed the board that the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services directed payments will be made to the hospital at the end of August and December 2025. Chief Operation Officer Gabe Behling reported that the Meditech/Tegria optimization project is 60% complete. During this project, the Patient Portal will be updated for the public. He also announced that AblePay, a payment program to help patients manage medical expenses, is now available at BBGH. This financial program can help patients save on out-of-pocket medical expenses while improving the hospital’s revenue cycle. Behling introduced IT Consultant John Roundtree, who will be assisting the IT department with infrastructure and network upgrades to support the new systems.
Community Engagement
Physical Therapists Abby Grosse-Rhode and Ivy Shelmadine presented a recap of BBGH’s Second Annual Bike Rally. The goals of this event were to promote fun, safety, and create community connections for families. Shelmadine told the board, “We have been working to build awareness for pediatric services at BBGH, and to promote overall community health and wellness.” Seventeen different organizations from around the community participated, and over 100 children attended the event. The rally gave out 60 bike helmets donated by Box Butte Health Foundation, offered a hand safety course provided by the Alliance Police Department, and provided numerous other community resources. “I feel very fortunate to work for an organization where we can bring together such great teams and achieve tremendous success in building our community,” said Grosse-Rhode. The board expressed appreciation for their presentation and their work coordinating this impactful event.
Governance
Dr. Shelmadine informed the board of the Heartland Health Alliance Governance Institute scheduled for September 11-12, 2025 in Lincoln, NE. He also shared an appeal from the Nebraska Hospitals Political Action Committee which advocates for Nebraska’s healthcare community. Individuals may support the PAC’s work on numerous initiatives such as LB1087 and the State Directed Payment Program, Prior Authorization Reform, and the Pharmacy Benefit Managers Reform. Dr. Shelmadine also reported that two board terms set to expire at the end of September. The Box Butte County Clerk will advertise the seats, and interested individuals may submit a letter of application for consideration.
Employee Recognition
The Employee of the Month for July, Lead Maintenance Technician Jeremy Maples-Van Dunk, was recognized at the meeting. The Board was also introduced to new employees including Pharmacist Michael Dunn, Case Managers Tonya Haller and Jodi Markheim, Administrative Assistant Marcus Paloma, Staff Nurses April Riggs, Jori Stewart, Ambar Olson, Charles Oguoma, and Krystal Borges, IT Help Desk Technician Carson Cottrell, Registration Clerk Makayla Goss, Physical Therapist Rebecca Higgins, Wound Care Provider Rachelle Reynolds, Nurse Assistant Preslee Sterkel, and Medical Assistant Shay Welling.
The meeting moved into executive session at 1:12 PM. The next board meeting is set for August 25, 2025, at noon in the Alliance Room. The public is welcome to attend.