The Roy L. Schneider Hospital Board of Directors voted to resume management of the Myrah Keating Smith Health Center on St. John.
In the past, although Title 19 V.I.C. Chapter 16, Section 245 gave the board jurisdiction over the Health Center, the management of the Health Center had been transferred to the Health Department through a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU which has since expired will not be renewed.
The Rev. Dr. Charles Peters, chairman of Schneider Hospital Board, stated that to facilitate the transition, the Board decided to form a Community Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from St. John.
The Advisory Committee held its first meeting on June 9. The members are Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, St. John Administrator Julien Harley, Charlene Jones, Samuel Morch, Pastor Ray Joseph, Yvonne Wells, Deborah Charles, Rich Meyer, Elroy Sprauve, Carol McGuinness, Brenda Tyrell, Benedict Regis, Jose Penn, Peters and Eugene Woods, Schneider Hospital chief executive officer.
Woods stated that the Health Center has faced many of vendor payments and other bureaucratic issues that have plagued hospitals in the past. One of the key advantages of the transition will be to extend the benefits from the recently enacted autonomy legislation to the Health Center. The autonomy legislation, which doesn’t become effective until Aug. 14, will allow the hospitals and the Health Center, to establish its own bank account to pay vendors directly and to expedite hiring and procurement processes.
Woods said that they will work closely with the Health Department to ensure a smooth
transition.
Woods also said that a consulting firm specializing in ambulatory care centers like Myrah Keating Smith will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Health Center in June. The consultants will perform an operational review, financial analysis and an accreditation readiness assessment.
In addition, Woods stated that Blue Cross negotiations will be finalized in June to add the Center as a network provider.