Cook County Health and Hospital System Board Meeting Friday, October 4, 2014

During the Public Comment period, a member of the public complained that using outside contracted staff equates to institutional corruption, a practice that has been going on for years.

Committee Reports:    

Finance Committee chair Jerry Butler reported that all contract requests had been approved, including a $775,000 request for supplementary HR staff to fill hard-to-fill positions.

Quality and Patient Safety chair Lewis Collens reported that the American College of Surgeons approved Stroger Hospital's cancer center; the plan for Patient Safety at Stroger has been approved.

HR chair Doreen Weise said their committee has been given a review on filling vacancies. Director Wayne Lerner suggested an external review of CCHHS salary, benefit, and severance policies as they are inconsistent with national standards.  Ramirez cautioned that the private sector is not where we want to benchmark. Chairman Hammock asked Wiese and HR director Gladys Lopez to put this review on their HR committee agenda.

Asset Management CFO Ivan Sannstein presented an asset marketing plan to identify real estate and public-facing assets that can be leveraged to benefit the county, the Forest Preserve District, and CCHHS.  A committee with reps from FPD, CCHHS, and Cook County board will form a committee and collaborate with a to-be-chosen marketing manager to create a plan to leverage resources,  including highway billboards, corporate sponsorships, websites, and naming rights.  The organization receives a flat fee of $200,000, then a 20% commission on all assets.

CEO Dr. Jay Shannon reported on the 3-year accreditation of Stroger Hospital's cancer center by the American College of Surgeons, significant because CCHHS has many late-stage presenting patients yet outcomes compare favorably with any university hospital. CCDPH COO Terry Mason received a 3-year grant to work collaboratively with community organizations to improve community health, encouraging strategies like smoke free housing and physical activity.  Shannon reassured the board that CCHHS is prepared if ebola arrives in Chicago: emergency services, communicable diseases, and public health are prepared and working in conjunction with CDC recommendations.  A big push this year to reduce morbidity from influenza, staff vaccinations mandatory.  

This month a redevelopment plan for the central campus will come before the Cook County board, including a retail development plan for the old hospital.   

Next month 4 new CCHHS board members will be introduced, replacing retiring members Dr. Calvin Morris, David Carvalho, Dr. Carlos Munoz, and  Jorge Ramirez. Chairman Hammock commended the retiring members, citing their dedication and expertise.  Munoz, Ramirez, and Carvalho all spoke movingly of their experience on the CCHHS board, which, all concurred, they are leaving stronger then when they began their tenure 6 years ago.

The meeting adjourned to closed session at 9:50, to be followed by a reception to honor departing board members.

submitted by Linda Christianson