Admissions Up At CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs has been “super busy” over the last 2 months, with a 28 percent increase in patient admissions during November alone. The emergency department experienced an almost 16 percent patient increase, CMFHSS Ministry President and Chief Executive officer Paul Harvey told Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors during their regular bimonthly meeting Tuesday night.
Thus far, the hospital has seen an increase, but has not experienced a significant spike in flu cases, despite reports of medical facilities around the region being hit pretty hard, particularly the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Central Texas and coming in from Oklahoma, according to Harvey. Those seen at the clinic and emergency department tend to be Type B flu, which a lot of the flu vaccines tend not to cover.
“We had one day there in November that we reached 75 patients in the hospital, and kept that pretty much for three or four days. We’ve had the second floor open for additional patient flow for almost 2 1/2 months now,” Harvey said.
The hospital staff tries to adjust scheduling so that the second floor isn’t open on weekends, if possible, due to difficulty fully staffing both. A plan is in place and can be activated if there is a “winter surge” in admissions, the hospital administrator explained.
The number of people visiting the hospital from outside the city and county has also increased.
“We are getting quite a bit from the Mount Vernon area. Sometimes, it doesn’t show up in a transport because they’re using our doctors, and may have a need for surgery and they’re coming in. We’re very pleased with what we’re continuing to see, especially from Franklin County,” Harvey said.
Patient quality experience scores also continue to increase positively for both the hospital and emergency room.
“I’m really pleased about how we’re heading in making sure our patients are safe and secure, and if you have to be in the hospital that we provide a good quality experience. I’m real proud about that,” Harvey said.
Hopkins County Health Care Foundation has had several activities that have been well attended and successful, including Trees of Life, which includes the tree in the hospital lobby donated by Wanda and Wayne Galyean. Designer Bag Bingo was also another big hit that will likely be held again in the future; aside from two tables, the Civic Center was filled with those attending.
Work continues on the mammography suite in an effort see it completed, hopefully, by February. A celebration date for the opening will be announced when a completion date and plans are more substantially complete.
Harvey reported two openings in the finance department at the hospital. The chief financial officer has accepted a job as an administrator at CHRISTUS Critical Access Hospital in Jacksonville and the director of finance, who has been with the district for 15 years, retired on Dec. 13.
Harvey credited the CNO and former CFO as being the team that “helped turn the hospital around to where we are.” He said both openings have been posted and that he’d keep the hospital apprised of any progress regarding that process as appropriate.
“I feel really good we have a couple of good internal candidates within the Mother Frances Health System that I think will express some interest in that,” Harvey
In the mean time, staff will be working on an organizational plan for the hospital moving forward. He said the hospital has “good practices in place both operational and financially.”
The regional CFO for the Mother Frances Health System is serving as the interim CFO. She is working with the remaining members of the team on some things from that perspective, Harvey reported.
Kerry Law offered “kudos” to Harvey and the Mother Frances staff for their recruitment of Dr. Blake Cross as the new clinic physician. He said he’s aware of multiple positive comments made about Dr. Cross, including how pleasant he is and what a good physician he is.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself. When a new provider comes in they take time to ramp up the number of patients they see, but he was well over his mark for the first three months by the middle of September, after 6 weeks. I think that’s a testament to him. I think he and his wife have really found a good niche in the community of who to connect and network with, be part of from a community standpoint. That’s what you want. You want to do it where they’ll grow and stay here and be part of what we’re trying to build. That will keep our hospital vibrant and healthcare services in the community vibrant in years to come in ensuring a primary care base,” Harvey said.
There are still two openings for family care physicians. Talks are ongoing with one good candidate who hopefully will find Sulphur Springs a good fit for practice.
When asked, Harvey said the new meal program in which Chick-Fil-A and Slaughterhouse barbecue provide lunches in the cafeteria for associates, families and patients, and nearby community members to purchase has been a huge success. Chick-Fil-A typically once a month provides about 100 sandwiches which are sold out within 30 minutes. Slaughterhouse also usually sells out in 30-45 minutes.
Chamber Connection – Dec. 19, 2019
Attention All Chamber Members: Membership Directories are being prepared NOW!
Chamber Members, we are going to print with the 2020 Membership Directory. We are going to have it ready for distribution the first part of January, so we need you to do a few things …
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
- Please go to www.HopkinsChamber.org and click in the directory search. Please check to make sure that we have the correct information for your business. We have been trying to check and recheck it, but we need your help to make sure everything is correct.
- If your membership investment is past due, payment arrangements need to be made prior to Dec. 30 to be included in the 2020 Directory.
- If you find information that needs to be corrected, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515. If you are interested in placing an ad in the directory, please contact Lee Ann Peugh at Echo Publishing at 903-885-8663.
Would you like to recognize an Outstanding Educator?
Here is your chance… the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to allow all Hopkins County Citizens to nominate their candidates for “Outstanding Professional Educator” (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher), “Outstanding Para Professional Educator” (Secretary or Aide) and “Outstanding Auxiliary Educator” (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria). You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 110 Main St. and then either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than Dec. 31. Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected], and our mailing address is also 110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a special educator!
Nominations for Large and Small Business of the Year
Please submit your nomination for Large Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year. Nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 110 Main St. and either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than Dec. 31. Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is 110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (February 13, 2020). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
- Citizen of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- Woman of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 131, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- Agriculturist of the Year—Agri-Life Extension Office— P.O. Box 518, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Growth and Renewal—DBA—109 Jefferson St. East, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above-mentioned address.
Chaffer’s Place presents their monthly concert
Chaffer’s Place, located at 410 Main St. in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a live concert featuring music from the soundtrack of The Preacher’s Wife. The concert will be held on Dec. 19, and doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. This includes dinner and a show! For more information, call 470-848-2246 or visit www.ckproductions.info. Chaffer’s Place also offers live music every Friday and Saturday night.
Sulphur Bluff ISD To Hold Meeting Regarding Proposed Solar Farm
Public hearings over designation of reinvestment zones and the Hopkins Solar appraised value limitation agreement will be conducted during SBISD’s regular board meeting Thursday, Dec. 19.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., but may be delayed a bit until the group can get out to Sulphur Bluff.
Sulphur Springs ISD trustees on June 10 accepted an application to agree to consider a value limitation for the 40 percent of the proposed facility to be located within the school district boundary and hired Powell Youngblood & Taylor to assist the district with legalities of the project.
Sulphur Bluff ISD Board of Trustees Thursday, June 20, accepted an application for an appraised value limitation for Hopkins Energy LLC and also hired the attorneys to represent them.
The proposed solar energy project would span approximately 2,962 acres, with 40 percent in SSISD and 60 percent or an estimated 1,777 acres within SBISD.
The facility is expected to be 320 MW-AC solar electric generating facility, with 1,625,000 photovoltaic panels and 140 inverters. Of those, 192 MW-AC of the capacity, 975,0000 photovoltaic panels and 84 central inverters would be located in SBISD, according to Jordan Christman, property tax incentive coordinator for KE Andrews, the firm for Alpin Sun, which is seeking Chapter 313 value limitations from for Hopkins Energy LLC, according to data provided in June.
The application was completed on June 26 and has been approved by Comptroller’s Office.
Tira News For Dec. 18, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
We had a small, but good, group at the Tira Christmas Party on Saturday night. Following the meal, the Tira Volunteer Firefighters were recognized for their service to the community. Tami Joslin read the Christmas story from the Bible, and then Santa Clause arrived to visit with the kids.
Chip and I spent Friday and Saturday Christmas shopping in Tyler. We stayed at The Villages Resort on Lake Palestine on Friday night and we went to the “Up In Lights” Christmas drive-through light park.
On Saturday night, we drove through Doctor’s Creek at Cooper Lake State Park to see the Christmas light displays after the party.
We went to the Christmas program and lunch at Posey Baptist Church on Sunday and enjoyed seeing several of our family members in the program.
On Monday night, we celebrated Christmas with Keith and Frances Klein, Phil and Carla Kenley and Shirley Charles at the Klein’s house. We enjoyed eating and playing games.
We went to our Sunday School class party at the home of Greg and Karon Adams on Tuesday night and had great food and fun.
I met friends Yvonne Weir, Regina Taylor and Kathy Froneberger for a Christmas lunch in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday.
I hope to get a lot of reports from others of holiday activities next week. I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas!
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo Says His Lady Cats are Playing With Confidence
The Lady Cats Soccer Team topped Paris, 1-0 during a scrimmage Tuesday night (December 17) at Paris. Lady Cats first year Head Coach Javier Aguayo said the scrimmage went very well with the Lady Cats dominating the match and possession of the soccer ball. However the Lady Cats got off to a slow start offensively. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats seemed to be forcing thing and trying to play too fast. He said he kept encouraging them to slow down. He said the first half of the scrimmage resulted in some scoring chances but no goals. Still he said the Lady Cats are starting to play like he wants them to. Freshman Rebecca Stanley scored the scrimmages’ lone goal with about 15 minutes left to play. It was her second goal in two scrimmages. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats are excited for this season and their confidence level is high. Next for the Lady Cats is their Alumni Scrimmage on December 28. Coach Aguayo hopes enough Alums show up for a noon contest with the Lady Cats JV and for a Lady Cats Varsity match at 2 p.m.
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton Was Not Pleased After Scrimmage Tie With Paris Tuesday
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton noted that at least Tuesday (December 17) night’s 0-0 tie with a Paris team preseason ranked #6 in Class 4A occurred during a scrimmage game that does not count. Deep down he knows that the Wildcats still have a lot of time to get better. He encouraged his team to just put the game behind them but learn from it. Coach Upton’s main beef was that his team had lots of scoring chances that did not result in goals. He also did not like the number of turnovers that stifled the Wildcats Tuesday night at Prim Stadium. The Wildcats defense did not allow Paris any goals. Coach Upton said the Wildcats are the type of team that should not be giving up many goals to anyone. But right now the Wildcats biggest problem is scoring goals. After Christmas break, the Wildcats will be scrimmaging North Mesquite and Rowlett, both Class 6A teams, at North Mesquite on December 27. Then comes the Wildcats final scrimmage, their annual Alumni Scrimmage on December 28 with matches between Alums against the Wildcats JV at 5:30 p.m. and against the Varsity at 7:15 p.m.
Wildcats Basketball Coach Cipoletta Says Sometimes Even With a Loss, Team Gets Better
During a post game interview after Tuesday (December 17) night’s Wildcats’ home loss to Denton Guyer, 70-64, Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta repeated his philosophy of the benefits of scheduling the toughest opponents he can find. He said a kid that just wants to win 30 games a year might be at the wrong program here. He said the Wildcats, while he is head coach, would play the best of the best. Coach Cipoletta said his team got better Tuesday night by playing highly ranked 6A Denton Guyer. He said sometime even with a loss, a team gets better. Coach Cipoletta said the tough schedule pays off during district play and the playoffs. He noted that the Wildcats have played 8 close games this season. He said his team has been up by 3 with 3 seconds left and down by 3 with 3 seconds left. Coach Cipoletta said he knows it is not fun to lose, either for a competitive coach like himself or for his competitive players. He said everyone needs to keep the big picture in mind. The Wildcats need to continue to get better every day. Coach Cipoletta said he was proud of senior Justin Brock who had a big fourth quarter for the Wildcats scoring 9 points. He said Brock played with confidence and was an impact player. Senior Grayson McClure also scored 11 fourth quarter points and senior Day Day Hall added 5 points in the quarter. Next the Wildcats play Dallas Jesuit Friday night in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School.
Hospital District Board Approves Purchase of 2 Ambulances For EMS Fleet
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors Monday night approved purchase of two ambulances and a request to consider beginning the process to find a qualified architect to design a new EMS facility.
Ambulance replacement
Brent Smith, chief operating officer and director of EMS, asked that the hospital district board consider purchasing two demo ambulances as a reduced price instead of buying one ambulance to replace Medic 2. The ambulance was involved on Nov. 30 in collision with another vehicle and is expected to be considered a total loss.
“We got confirmation of that today that they agree you can’t really put that one back together,” Smith said of the insurance adjuster. “It sustained substantial damage.Part of that was because when it did roll over, it slid on its side. The impact was pretty high, as far as speed goes.”
Smith said having one less truck in operation has “kind of put us into an operational issue.” That leaves only one spare truck that can be put into service when others are being services or multiple transfers are needed in a short amount of time.
Purchasing two demo units that would mirror the current fleet’s cab and chassis would save the hospital district $60,000-$80,000 long term, and provide an additional ambulance that would provide an additional spare vehicle that could be staffed when needed to “back-fill” when other units are tied up on other cars or multiple transports. The ambulances were quoted at $150,000 each, according to Smith.
Purchasing a new which would have to be built, wouldn’t be ready until potentially May. If the demo units are purchased, the first ambulance could potentially be put online at the beginning of January and the other demo unit is expected to be available by the end of February, Smith reported.
Smith recommended applying $125,000 that’d been previously allocated for a remount project to be paired with the amount received from insurance on Medic 2 and applied to the purchase of the two demo trucks. The remount project then could be pushed back until next year’s budget
Smith said with the notification that Medic 2 is totaled, EMS staff can begin stripping it down in readiness for its removal. They may be able to salvage a few things from it to reuse, such as lights and sirens.
The hospital district board approved the ambulance purchase request, with Dr. David Black noting it to be such a great opportunity that it might be worth looking at demo units available for purchase before making future purchases.
New Facility
The hospital district too agreed to a request to consider beginning the process of finding a qualified architect to to design a new EMS facility.
The new facility is to replace the current building, which is in need of numerous repairs and has outlived its originally intended lifespan.
Smith, during the June hospital district board meeting, explained that the building is made of four module trailers put together. The section between the trailer housing the director’s office, crew and communications areas is separating and beginning to pull apart. So far, there’s no leak, but the area is pulling apart, Smith told the board in June.
The building is also pulling apart from the foundation, where its deteriorating along the concrete. The underpinning on the north wall is pulling away. On that wall, stucco has come off, exposing the wood, which has become rotten. The whole piece along and under the back door is rotted needs to be replaced, according to Smith.
The west corner wall where utilities such as a fiber line and electricity come into the building, and where the breaker boxes for the EMS facility are located, is starting to take on water, Smith told the board in June.
The upper southeast corner of the building has a dark spot that looks like it’s been burned. Smith said it has not burned, but there is a substance on it and a gap where it is coming apart, allowing water to enter the building. The stucco along that wall is coming off and the wood behind it is deteriorating.
The new building would be on hospital district-owned property near the current building, which would be removed.
After discussion Tuesday night, it was recommended that a survey be attained to determine whether the area near the current facility is feasible. Potential location of a pipeline, whether its in a flood plain and right-of-ways could prove the site unsuitable for a new EMS facility, it was noted at the Dec. 17 meeting. The board anticipates adding that to a future board agenda.
If the site is found suitable, Smith proposed constructing the new EMS facility that would include bays and housing for EMS on one side as well as an office big enough to host hospital district board meetings, conduct regular district business and potentially serve as a classroom for EMS training purposes on the other side.
Zoning Board Approves Special Use Permit, 2 Ordinance Variances
Sulphur Springs Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals approved a special use permit and two ordinance variances during the regular meeting Tuesday night.
A special use permit allowing construction of a communications tower at 402 Church St. was approved. Danny Weems had requested the permit to improve the service offered by his business, Cross Country Communications. The tower is approximately 60 feet higher than the current tower, located on top of the building. The new tower also would hold additional equipment as well, Weems told the Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night.
The permit was approved as recommended by city staff, pending Weems obtaining a letter from the FAA indicating no hazard will exist from the proposed facility. Also, the applicant would need to comply with all FCC requirements for pre-clearance, which would be provided before the city officially issues the permit, according to City Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
The ZBA too approved a variance request from Jonathan Kennedy to divide a 120 tract of land on Loop 301 at County Road 3503, most of which is located outside the city boundary into four parcels without extending public utilities, as it pertains to property in the city, according to Niewiadomski.
Only one person, who lives near the property, reportedly expressed concern that if the owner was granted a subdivision variance, that they’d do it again. Officials reported that for any further subdivisions in the city the owner would be subject to the same process to request a special permit, according to the community development director
A variance request was granted on a 4-1 vote for a sign ordinance to allow a single pole off premise digital sign at 629 Gilmer St. The intent of the property owner, Coy Johnson, was to install the bill board for digital advertising for local businesses and charitable organizations downtown, Niewiadomski reported.
The city received one letter, from a neighboring resident who expressed concern that the sign would be visible from his Davis Street back yard.
A nearby business owner too expressed concern that a sign would obstruct visibility to his property. The sign will be 10 feet by 24 feet by 35 feet. The sign will be approximately 25 feet off the ground.
Gina Law with Lake Country CASA and Judy Gilreath reportedly expressed support for the sign, noting the boost it could give to organizations by helping to spread awareness.
The lone vote against the sign was reportedly because the board member did not feel it is in the spirit and intent of the ordinance, city officials reported.
