Matthews Memorial Hospital Association faces challenges ahead

Matthews Memorial Hospital Association turns a new chapter with the annual election of board of directors for 2018.

The nine directors vacated their seats following financial reports and the wrap up address by the outgoing chair.

Matthews Memorial Hospital Association (MMHA) has faced a few hurdles in the past year with a drop in revenue, shuffling its mortgage in an attempt to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead for the coming year(s).

Lavera Crack delivered a heartfelt address focusing on the board's goals and objectives of the past and its future.

Crack told the 27 people from across the North Shore and St. Joseph Island who gathered at Laird Township Community Hall what a pleasure it was to work with the board over the past year.

Crack pointed out, as of April 25, the association is approaching the end of its five-year contract with Doctors Lupien and Beller.

For the past four years, Beller and Lupien each split $10,000 at the end of each service year.

Crack went on to say retaining physicians is a competition with financial-driven areas.

Fundraising is very expensive, she said.

"Doctors don't want to be generalist or isolated," she said. "At the moment, Dr. Lupien has agreed to stay on for a while but we have not heard from Dr. Beller yet."

Crack said, though there is nothing in writing, the association is receiving $2 per resident toward physician recruitment and retention.

"That's not a lot of money," Crack said.

"In the next couple years, North Shore Health Network, Matthews Site, (Matthews Memorial Hospital) is going to be, 'fragile'," Crack said. "We need to make sure we have a plan in place. If it ever gets to that 10 minutes before shutting the door it will never re-open."

Other highlights from the financial report included a drop in donations, from $13,375 in 2016 to $7,335 in 2017.

"Can't do much about that," said Sheila Campbell, association treasurer.

Revenue from fundraising events also saw a decline from $31,557 in 2016 to $25,289 in 2017.

"We're going to have to work at that," Campbell said.

What saw an increase was its municipal support in Physician Recruitment and Retention. Eight municipalities within the catchment area donated.

In 2016, $16,758 was received but in 2017, the association received $38,779 due in part to a lump sum donation from Jocelyn Township.

Campbell said the $23,000 donation from Jocelyn Township did come with restrictions.

The restricted fund is being built to help meet the future needs of MMHA. Interest only can be used by the association with the principal donation held for investment purposes.