Box Butte General Hospital Board of Trustees met on April 28, 2025 in the Alliance Room. The Hospital and Foundation’s scholarship winners were announced. The board proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Credentialing requests were approved along with the consent calendar and financial report.
Scholarship Winners
BBGH and Box Butte Health Foundation awarded fifteen scholarships for $2,000 each. Five high school scholarships and ten college scholarships were awarded. The recipients include: Bailey Shannon, Emma Machado, Avy Knapp, Hannah Schneider, Hallie Schneider, Dalton Krug, Myca Cantrell, Kylie Casados, Abigail Burri, Shurron Fleming, Madison Hiemstra, Avian Moreno, Angela Davis, Jaelynne Clarke, and Addisyn Muhr. These scholarships were awarded to students pursuing a degree in a healthcare field (clinical, financial, and business). The mission of this program is to “grow our own” workforce by investing in our youth’s education and encouraging future employment at BBGH. Of previous scholarship recipients, twenty-five percent returned to work at BBGH.
Mental Health Month Proclamation for May
Accreditation Specialist Gail Burke presented a proclamation to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. This is part of a nationwide effort to value mental health and promote compassion and understanding for those affected by mental illness. The proclamation reads as follows:
May Mental Health Month Proclamation
WHEREAS, there is a proven connection between good mental health and overall personal health; and
WHEREAS, mental illnesses affect almost every family in America; and
WHEREAS, people with mental illnesses recover if given the necessary services and supports in their communities; and
WHEREAS, people with mental illnesses make important contributions to our families and our communities; and
WHEREAS, millions of adults and children are hindered by mental illnesses every year; and
WHEREAS, only one out of two people with a serious form of mental illness seeks treatment for his or her mental illness; and
WHEREAS, stigma and fear of discrimination keep many who would benefit from mental health services from seeking help; and
WHEREAS, research shows that the most effective way to reduce stigma is through personal contact with someone with a mental illness; and
WHEREAS, good mental health is critical to the well-being of our families, communities, schools and businesses; and
WHEREAS, greater public awareness about mental illnesses can change negative attitudes and behaviors toward people with mental illnesses;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tom Furman on behalf of the Box Butte General Hospital Governing Board, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2025, as MENTAL HEALTH MONTH. As the BBGH Governing Board Chair, I also call upon all citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental illnesses, reducing stigma and discrimination, and promoting appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illnesses.
Staff Reports
Chief of Staff Dr. Tim Narjes reported on the rising cases of measles in the United States. Based on the CDC’s website there hasn’t been an outbreak in Nebraska. “Ninety-seven percent of the cases are due to being unvaccinated, so vaccines really provide us a substantial amount of protection, so if you are not vaccinated or unsure if you are vaccinated, a blood test can be given to find out if you are immune or not,” Dr. Narjes told the Board. People may think of measles as being a rash, fever, and cold, but there are substantial things that can happen down the road including fatal pneumonias, meningitis, and encephalitis. Dr. Shelmadine agrees with Dr. Narjes to encourage vaccinations. “We are preparing for the impact it could have on our community and our hospital, should we have exposures in Box Butte County,” said Dr. Shelmadine. There is a 21-day quarantine for unimmunized individuals who have been exposed to the virus. BBGH encourages the community to consider vaccines. BBGH will continue to release information and protocols to the public as the measles outbreak continues.
Master Facility Plan Update
The board voted to pause the Master Facility Plan, which includes an addition to the hospital, as the hospital waits for the Directed Payment Program through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to be approved. The Board also heard a report on the upgrade to the hospital’s MRI unit which is currently underway. The upgrade is expected to be completed by mid-May. In IT updates, Chief Operations Officer Gabe Behling reported Tegria and Meditech are continuing to improve workflows and streamline systems. The project is over twenty-five percent complete with six out of the twenty-four interfaces set up. The work will continue with a projected completion date in August. Behling stated that, “It is a true testament to the staff here at BBGH who have worked through this system as is and continue to provide excellent patient care every day.”
Governance
Chief Financial Officer Michael O’Dell present the governance report. The Nebraska Hospital Association updated that the LB 322, a bill to create enhanced criminal penalties for assault on any hospital employee and all pharmacists in the state, was passed in the Nebraska Legislature. There was also a letter written to the GOP leadership to draw a line on Medicaid cuts. The letter said, “Cuts to Medicaid also threaten the viability of hospitals, nursing homes, and safety-net providers nationwide. Many hospitals—particularly in rural and underserved areas—rely heavily on Medicaid funding, with some receiving over half their revenue from the program alone. Providers in these areas are especially at risk of closure, with many unable to recover. When hospitals close, it affects all constituents, regardless of healthcare coverage.” Other issues reported on include the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services of 30% and changes to prescription medication coverage.
Employee Recognition
The Employee of the Month for April, Environmental Services Technician Felipa Gonzalez, was recognized at the meeting. The board was also introduced to new employees including Nurse Aide Ashlynn Chipperfield and Behavior Health Associate Karri Garcia. The meeting entered an executive session at 1:20 p.m. The next board meeting is set for May 27, 2025, at noon in the Alliance Room. The public is welcome to attend.