Fiscally Troubled Ventura County Medical Center Brings In Outside Help To Tune Of $750K
The health care system was projected at the end of December to finish the fiscal year with a $2.4 million loss, off about $10 million from a profit of $8 million that was initially forecast. Huron Consulting Services is being brought in to try to right the ship.
Ventura County Star:
Consultant Hired To Help VCMC Overhaul Business Operations
A Chicago-based consultant has been hired to advise officials on how to overhaul business operations at Ventura County Medical Center, where estimated net income is off by $10 million. Huron Consulting Services will be paid up to $750,000 under the 12-month contract approved Tuesday by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The firm has been assessing the county system of hospitals and clinics under three separate agreements of about $30,000 each, but this one required board approval because it exceeds $100,000. More contracts with the global consultant will likely be approved in the future, Ventura County Health Care Agency Director Johnson Gill said. (Wilson, 2/27)
In other health system and hospital news —
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital In Willits Names Dr. Ace Barash Medical Officer
Dr. Ace Barash, a longtime physician in Mendocino County, has been named medical officer at Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits. Barash will also continue his role as director of inpatient care, Adventist announced Tuesday. Barash has worked as a physician in the region for nearly four decades. Early in his career, he cared for patients in the Howard Memorial emergency department. After several years in private practice, Barash returned to the hospital in 1998. (Espinoza, 2/27)
The Mercury News:
Apple To Open Boutique Health Care Network For Its Workers
Local denizens of the Spaceship and other Apple offices will be getting boutique medical care starting this spring, according to Apple. The Cupertino tech giant plans to launch a network of “AC Wellness” medical clinics for its employees and their families, according to the AC Wellness website, which describes the network as “an independent medical practice dedicated to delivering compassionate, effective healthcare” to Apple workers and their dependents. (Baron, 2/27)