[Editor's Note: This is part 1 of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission regular session on Oct. 19, 2017.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Taffy Arias presented her monthly report to the commissioners at the regular meeting of the Grant County Commission on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017.

"Folks from the University of New Mexico Cancer Center are in town," Arias said. "We announced a board meeting, as there is likely to be a quorum of trustees when the UNM group is introduced. From 10 to 12 noon, we are holding a public open house to meet the UNM staff, to talk to them and voice concerns."

She said Dr. Cheryl Willman, UNM Cancer Center director, was among those visiting.

"Tomorrow, a physician from UNM is coming in to see patients who already have appointments," Arias said. "Chemotherapy will start soon. Tomorrow the physician will see and assess patients, and will determine when parts of chemo will start."

An item that has been discussed in the GRMC Board of Trustees meetings is in progress. "We are taking Pod 2, a med-surg (medical-surgery) pod, and converting it to private rooms. The average daily census is allowing it. Patients will have a private bathroom. There is no reconstruction, just aesthetics. If our population explodes, and we need more room, we can add a bed to the rooms. We are trying to minimize expense, so we will do as many rooms as we can."

She said the hospital is excited to have an ambulance in Mimbres. "Two EMTs, sisters, work at the family-owned restaurant and are also volunteer fire fighters. They will respond to dispatch calls in the area."

"We are also in the midst of doing evaluations of departments and contracts," Arias said. "We are re-evaluating some of the older contracts to make sure they are still in compliance with the changes in law."

"As of yesterday, I met with Alex Brown, Silver City town manager, regarding the stocking of supplies and drugs on their ambulances," Arias said. "I think he was surprised by the mixture of processes. He and I are working together to ensure clean processes on the drugs, medications and narcotics that we are giving to the Fire Department. They will continue to be free, but we want to make sure the process is crisp. I found him easy to work with and we will dissect the process to make sure it is clean."

Commissioner Alicia Edwards said she recognizes Arias has come into the middle of uncomfortable situations. "However, there are indicators the county has lost confidence in the hospital and that morale in the hospital is low."

"This job is unlike any other position I have taken," Arias said. "Meditech 6 was just going live and it has been troublesome. The issue with the transition of the Cancer Center and the great public outcry. There was no going back on either. I had to do everything I could to get the cancer center back on track. At the same time, we are evaluating the financial structure."

She said any organization, when it is top-heavy, has to be re-evaluated. "We can't do it with the caregivers, because they are the heart of the hospital. I did a reduction in force on administrators. I got calls ranging from praise for what I had done to 'Are you crazy?' I have never worked anywhere where the community has not come together for the hospital. I'm held accountable by every resident, every commissioner, every board of trustees' member. There was a RIF before I came that impacted caregivers. And that is coupled with the venomous letters and articles in the paper on the leadership. I hold the public responsible for that, not the caregivers. I do hold people accountable if they are rude or neglectful of our patients and I hold people accountable for reporting on financial matters to see that it creates an avenue of change. We cannot continue as a hospital to go down the road of destruction."

"I do demand accountability and safe quality care for our patients," Arias continued. "My responsibility is to be the leader for the care of our patients."

She said she is holding discussions with each department separately, not in town halls, to address problems. "Everyone wants to see Gila Regional be the best hospital it can be and to make sure it is vibrant for years to come."

"It takes someone strong and tough enough to stand up to the problems and to criticisms," Arias said. "My focus is not on being nice. It's to be tough and make sure we are the best hospital."

Arias announced the hospital has signed a contract with a surgeon, who wants to do trauma cases at the hospital. In November, the hospital is interviewing a pediatrician from Corpus Christi, Texas, who wants to relocate to Silver City. "We want to bring in an ENT (ear, nose and throat) to provide services here."

"Instead of spreading rumors, come to my office and talk to me," Arias concluded.

Commissioners Gabriel Ramos said he appreciated Arias coming forward and expressing herself. "On another note, we lost Yucca Lodge. Is there any thought of increasing such services at the hospital?"

"Absolutely," Arias said. "The hospital cannot stand alone. We must look to the community, and yes, we are looking at partnerships to provide such services."

To a question about how many days of cash the hospital has, Arias said GRMC has 55 days of cash on hand.

"We had 90 days of loss of cancer service," she said. "We are seeing the majority of the financial loss in outpatient services and in the pharmacy, labs and radiation. It impacts our bottom line. Our inpatient population numbers are up, so every penny lost can be linked back to the cancer center. By the end of the year, it should be back in full force again and bringing in new patients."

The next article will address public comment and get into agenda items.