North Shore Health Financial Director Vera Schumann has announced she is retiring and moving to Kahuku, Hawaii.
Her last day of work will be June 12, 2020. Schumann has been the chief financial officer since December 30, 2013.
According to North Shore Health Director/CEO Kimber Wraalstad, “Vera brought increased knowledge, direction and financial professionalism to our organization. She came as we began the work for our construction project and ended up being housed in the ‘bathroom’ during the project.”
Because of the COVID- 19 social distancing requirements, Wraalstad said there will not be a going away party for Schumann. She encourages those folks that know Vera to send an email, call, write or contact her through ZOOM to thank her for her service to North Shore Health.
In other matters, Wraalstad reported that North Shore Health is experiencing a reduction in revenues while there is a corresponding increase in costs. She said departments were looking for opportunities to reduce costs where possible.
The North Shore Health Rehab department has developed a TeleRehab program that allows community members to continue to get the needed services they require.
Screening is ongoing with employees when they come to work and they are tested again at mid-shift. Also, the Care Center residents are screened twice a day.
Kimber said that effective April 13, everyone entering or working at North Shore Health and North Shore Living was required to wear a mask. All staff members have been retrained on N95 masks and PAPR use and donning and doffing isolation gowns.
Significant efforts to obtain personal protective equipment (PPE), including surgical masks, gowns and gloves, are being made. Mike Flack, the purchasing agent for the hospital, works daily to purchase face shields, face masks, eye protection equipment, gowns and gloves.
The Minnesota Health Department sent two boxes of N95 masks and surgical masks to North Shore Living as part of a distribution to every Minnesota Nursing Home in the United States.
Staff receives training though mini-drills at the screening stations, Emergency Room, and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Triage, so all processes can be refined.
Procedures have been developed so North Shore Health staff can conduct care for COVID-19 patients safely. The hospital is also developing surge plans if several COVID-19 patients are identified so the hospital knows which patients it can keep and which should be transferred.
Kimber said Jennifer Dowden, the North Shore Health Infection Control Coordinator, continually refines the COVID-19 practices and policies as guidelines and recommendations seem to change almost daily.
On that note, Wraalstad said, “We continue to participate in daily update meetings with LeadingAge Minnesota, LeadingAge National, Northeast Regional Preparedness Coalition, and many others.”
Cash flow projections
Vera Schumann and Paul Goettl have been working on developing a cash forecasting tool that takes into consideration the ongoing effect of COVID-19 on North Shore Health’s revenue and expenses. Some of the things affecting cash flow include a decrease in revenue, added expenses to prepare for COVID-19, added staff for a potential surge, CARES, and other funding awarded but not received yet. There are also reduced expenses for recently re-priced bonds with lower interest rates and a delay in the first half of the levy payment.
New ambulance director
Tom Fleming has been hired as the new ambulance director, taking over for Steve DuChien who is retiring in June. Fleming started May 11, 2020. He comes with a wealth of experience and has worked at North Shore Health as a paramedic on a casual basis. He also served as a pastor for Grace Community Church. Tom holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree from Crown College, a Paramedic Certificate from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, and an Associates of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin.
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