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Weeks after a potential takeover of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital fell through, CEO Mary Casillas reiterated that the door is open to any potential partnerships for the public hospital.
In the meantime, the hospital is pursuing a community and physicians needs assessments.
“We’re open for ideas from any organization now that wants to come forward with partnerships ideas, management ideas, you name it, we’re open,” she said at the Aug. 28 San Benito Health Care District board meeting.
Casillas said the administration team has continued to look at other options but did not provide details.
“We are looking at every avenue,” she said. “We are open to every opportunity.”
She said the administration is brainstorming with peers, discussing ideas and thinking of potential partners that could enable the hospital to increase revenue and decrease expenses.
Regarding the two new needs assessments, Casillas said the last one was conducted in 2021.
“Health care has changed and it’s very important for us to stop and take a look at what our community needs are and get professionals to pull the data,” she said.
Among the data that the hospital is looking for is an analysis of what specialty services residents are receiving outside the county and the demographics of residents receiving specialty services outside the hospital.
Casillas said that the administration is obtaining quotes from vendors for the needs assessments.
She added that she is proud of what the hospital has accomplished in the past three years, from declaring a fiscal emergency and filing for bankruptcy (which the courts dismissed) to finishing the fiscal year with 112 days of cash on hand. The hospital recently reported a $31.1 million surplus.
According to S&P Global, a corporation that provides financial information and analytics, standalone hospitals have “adequate” levels of cash on hand if they can cover between 110-160 days of operations.
“We will not go back to December 2022,” Casillas said. “That is why we’re trying so hard. So although it may feel that we’re not doing anything right now, know that we’re doing a lot behind the scenes.”
Casillas also encouraged board members to hold town halls and listening sessions to engage with the community and cross-reference input with the results of the needs assessment.
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