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Hospital owners granted two months
City approves another two-month extension
Published Monday, March 30, 2009
Call it one last chance.
That’s what the next two months will be for owners of Troy Regional Medical Center, as they work to get financing secured one last time.
After adjourning its meeting last week, the Troy City Council reconvened Monday to hear a presentation from Troy Doctors Hospital LLC on requests to extend an agreement between the two entities.
Requests from doctor owners were to extend the agreement to purchase the hospital at $10.5 million in the event owners could no longer finance it themselves for an additional two months and then to carry that same agreement forward for five more years.
But after meeting in executive session, council members adopted only a two-month extension, at least for now.
“The request for five years was a very open ended request,” said Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford. “If they can’t get financing to extend the current loan in these two months, then there would be no need to agree to five years.”
This extension comes after the council already stretched the original year-long agreement expected to end Jan. 31 to the end of March. If the agreement had ended the city of Troy was likely to have had to take ownership.
The agreement to extend this time, did not come without several different stipulations.
Within the next few days, Lunsford has asked the doctors and the city come to a firm understanding of how a transition would take place, should the city need to acquire hospital ownership at any time. The city has also requested, along with Superior Bank, to have the terms of the five-year loan doctors seek in place by April 30 to give more time to consider further support before the May 29 extension comes to an end.
Lunsford said the additional time granted comes with hopes that the 14 physician owners and investor Gil McKenzie will be successful in efforts to operate hospital business, as they have hoped since negotiations began last year.
“It got to a point the city was prepared to step up and buy the hospital for a negotiated price of $9 million and backed the doctors group if they could close the deal by Jan. 31,” Lunsford said. “We were still doing our due diligence to close by Jan. 31, while you were doing yours to get financing. We went a step further, and I feel like we showed just how much we want you to be successful.”
Now that yet another step has been taken, Lunsford said there is one point that will remain nonnegotiable — more city money.
Though requests were not made Monday, as they had been before, for the city to purchase the hospital at $15 million, Lunsford said no price higher than $10.5 will ever become an option, especially since the city has already increased the mortgage loan by $1.5 million in the last year.
“Now we’re at a point dealing with public funds, there has to be a cap,” Lunsford said.
Chairman of the Board of Managers Chuck Wood said the doctors are seeking to refinance the loans already made and in addition will apply for another $2.5 million to complete the turnaround costs projected.
But, even some of the doctor investors have not agreed to step up to signing on the loan themselves.
“I know you have the majority of support but how strong varies from physician to physician, based on their financial capabilities,” Wood said.
McKenzie told the council members all owners have been requested to co-sign the line of credit but not all of them feel prepared to do that.
The agreement on how a transition of ownership would take place, should that have to happen, will be finalized within the next few days, Lunsford said.
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Comments
Posted by muledeer (anonymous) on March 31, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is refreshing to see the City working with the doctors in this effort to provide every oppotunity to allow the physicians to maintain ownership. I must say that it is concerning that out of all the physicians in this city, we only have 14 who show the commitment level necessary. I don't know if any physicians or physician groups read the comments online, however if you do, I would encourage those not participating to seek clarification on how they may become a part of this process. I just have to imagine that there are options that should be explored.
Posted by blissfullygreen (anonymous) on March 31, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It isn't everyday that a small town physician can agree to take on essentially a $1 million commitment. If the total price was $15 million and there is one other investor, that equals $1 million each if it is divided up evenly. I am not sure if that is how it is divided up, but I wouldn't put my business and personal wealth at risk at this point and jump in to help. I think this was a BIG dream on the part of these doctors and they are just starting to wake up from what has become a nightmare.
Posted by MessengerReader23 (anonymous) on March 31, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there even a single quote in this story representing the doctors? I'm not sure if Wood represents the doctors or another entity. This article ended up making me more confused about the hospital's financial situation than I was before I read it.
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on March 31, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This whole thing has been confusing MessengerReader. To begin with it was made to sound as if the doctors had their financing and just wanted the city to be there as "backup". Dr. Griffin was the mouthpiece at that time now you never hear anything from him regarding this. If the physicians are not willing to put themselves out there to secure this, then why should they expect the city to do so? I hope a resolution comes soon. I have seen improvements with the facility and we do have great doctors on staff in Dr. Wood and Dr. Gill, and the nursing staff is phenomenal.
Posted by RobRoyCometh (anonymous) on March 31, 2009 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The most interesting facet of all the discussion so far is that the absence of Dr. Griffin has only just now been mentioned. And I'm not sure it was a complimentary mention at that.
Turtle, you obviously (reference the "we" in your comment) work at the hospital and should know more than the rest of us about the absence of Dr. Griffin. Apparently, he was the leader of the parade and has not been heard from in a long while.
Why is that? What happened? Where is he? Why do we not know? Can you tell us more?
I, for one, would like to know where he is and what his perspective is on this whole affair.
Posted by RobRoyCometh (anonymous) on March 31, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And, P.S. - Muledeer - if you think the "city is working with the doctors" you are living in a fantasy world.
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't work at the hospital or even in the medical field. When I said "we have great doctors...." I just meant we as in the community have great doctors on staff. Unfortunately I have had to deal with the hospital way more than I would like due to family medical situations in the past year or so and I've seen alot of changes, some great, some well I hope they continue to change. I didn't mean the comment about Dr. Griffin to be taken as an insult. I have just personally noticed that to begin with, he was the major spokesperson and then all of a sudden nothing. I do know is no longer the hospitialist, at one time he was back in the ER.
Posted by muledeer (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RoyRoyCometh knows nothing about the actions taken between the City and the physicians. The City has actually taken the burden off the physicians which has allowed them to gain the ownership they have. The City has guaranteed the property purchase at about 10.5 million which relieves the physician group of that obligation ultimately. If things are successful, the physicans have the option for property ownership, if not they can shift that burden to the city.
Read the articles on this and keep up with this matter as an interested citizen. Don't make comments you don't have information to back! You need to be appreciative of our City officials for what they are doing. They are giving the physician group EVERY OPPORTUNITY to succeed while providing them a landing pad should they not be able to.
That, is a clear sign of WORKING WITH THE DOCTORS"
Posted by Mook (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just wish this hospital deal was over already. It seems to keep going back and forth. I hope the money situation between the city and the physicians work itself out. Yes, I've seen some improvements but there is still other improvements needed. The biggest for me is the ER area. Whenever I go there with anyone there is always, always, always a wait even if there is only 2 people waiting. It takes forever to get seen by a doctor in the ER and the ER receptionists are not much better but a little and they could use some professional skill training in my opinion. It's sad to say but I have just started going to Montgomery or even Dothan for an emergency. Last year I had a miscarriage. I started bleeding uncontrollable and I went to the ER in Montgomery and within a matter of minutes they had me in a room and a nurse was attending to me. A day or so after I got back home I started bleeding again and decided to go to the ER in Troy since I live in Troy and its much closer. I rushed up to the desk, bleeding mind you, and told the receptionist the problem and asked her if she could get a doctor or nurse for me. She told me there was not a doctor or nurse who could see me at that time and asked that I have a seat, at that time there were probably 5 or 6 people waiting and no I don't know what the other people problems where and it wasn't that I wanted to get ahead of the other people who where already there, I was scared because I had never had a miscarriage before and wanted to talk to a doctor or nurse. Needless to say I ended up driving all the way to Montgomery again or my husband drove at least.
Posted by muledeer (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The most unfortunate thing about your experience Mook is that your story overshadows the good stories that people have about the hospital. I encourage you to call the hospital administrator and talk to him (Rusty). Let him have an opportunity to overcome that and eliminate it from happening again. I feel sure he would want to know about this happening. What you had happen to you is terrible.
I just wish people who had life saving experiences at our hospital would be as vocal about their experience.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like the Troy equivalent of a GMC bailout to me. With likely the same results.
Posted by RobRoyCometh (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Unfortunately, experiences like the one described by Mook are very common at the Troy ER and I doubt if the hospital administrator can "overcome and eliminate" the problem(s).
Posted by RobRoyCometh (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds to me like Muledeer is a horn tooter for both the city and the hospital. Must be one of the insiders because he(she) seems to know all.
And, P.S. - Muledeer, how could you possibly know that "RoyRoyCometh knows nothing about the actions taken between the City and the physicians."
Seems like just another "mulie" effort to defuse, distort, and otherwise camouflage the truth.
Posted by Mook (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Muledeer, I agree there are good stories that people have about the hospital. As a matter of fact my husband was hospitalized in Troy Hospital last year with a very serious blood infection. He received execellent care from Dr. Griffin and the staff there. Everyone told me to have him moved to a different hospital but both my husband and I felt very comfortable with Dr.Griffin; however, Muledeer, I've had more bad experiences than good there and they were all at the ER. I indeed did write a letter to my insurance company as well as the hospital administrator who I thought was Dr. Griffin at the time but apparently I wrote it to the wrong person. I was given Dr. Griffin's name from staff members of being the person to contact. Hopefully my letter got to the right person but I have yet to hear from anyone at the hospital concerning my letter. I did however hear from my insurance company who apologized for my experience and assured me that my complaint will be noted. I know several people who work at the hospital and they do an excellent job but getting from the ER to the floor is the problem. If people are not so nice to you at the beginning I think people tend to hold on to that unpleasantness they first experienced.
Posted by WDM (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not sure but I think Dr.Griffin stepped down as the head of the board for some reason and Dr.Wood was elected to replace him.
Posted by rnntroyal (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not believe that Dr. Wood has replaced Dr. Griffin as the "head. I believe that Dr. Crosby is in that role now. As for Dr. Griffin, he is working at the Luverne hospital.
Posted by rnntroyal (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not believe that Dr. Wood has replaced Dr. Griffin as the "head" of the physicians group. I believe that Dr. Crosby is in that role now. As for Dr. Griffin, he is working at the Luverne hospital.
Posted by WDM (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In this paper Monday March 30th it says Chairman of the Board of Managers Chuck Wood
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've had more experience than I wanted in the past year with myself, father, step-father, and grandmother at TRMC. I have to say that other than one rude nurse who was EXTREMELY nice after I got through saying exactly what was on my mind, I really have no complaints. I've been lucky in the ER with very little wait time, the same cannot be said for the other emergency care facility in Troy where we have sat for over six hours waiting to be seen. I do wish there was a regular "stable" of ER doctors however and not the rotation used through a Montgomery company. I guess we just have to wait and see at this point.
Posted by kpeg1969 (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again its back to the hospital issues, Mook I am sorry to hear that you have had the issue I had with the Admin department, It took me a long time to hear from them and thats was after they heared the word lawyer then they called, I did go in and meet with Rusty(he needs to be booted out the door) and his leaders they took what happened to me very lightly and only wanted to know if I trusted (which RUSTY SAID OVER AND OVER ITS A YES AND NO QUESTION DO I TRUST THEM)which I said NO!! They tried to tell me all the changes they have made to the ER department all wich was not new, After all was said and done they have yet to do anything to DR.Schloemer who should never be a ER Dr. He is a suppose to be Plastic surgeon, Not a Dr in the ER, Who told me I had a Callous on my Lung, Now how does one come to get a callous on the lung and how do you remove a callous on the lung? I had a fever of 104 and breathing problems and he and the nurse gave me meds inwhich i am bad allergic to thank God I didnt leave the ER right after they gave me the shot or I would have died, Now do you think anyone at that death hole hospital cares? No because now I am going thru treatment for serious lung probelms and he did not have the knowlege for the diffence of a corn on a toe (inwhich is a callous) and cancer on a lung! And to have knowlege of ER treatments and to see what is in plain site what a person is allergic to, they dont ask you that question for nothing and make you wear a big yellow band that screams what you cant take and its on the charts also, nor does he have the knowlege on how to talk to the patients with care and concern.FOR ONE YOU CAN NOT SWOLLOW LOTION AND A CALLOUS REMOVER!!
Posted by RobRoyCometh (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
See? Told you so. It happens every single day. It is not the exception it is the rule! "Death Hole" is probably a good name for the ER now. It used to be very different but that was when Dr. Griffin was there. He is gone now I guess.
And that administrator is a bully from hell. Apparently, though, he is big pals with the mayor who is protecting him because I haerd he was paying the mayor's wife an executive salary to manage the hospital plant operations. Don't you need some sort of engineering degree for that. Or at least some experience. Gaaaah.
Posted by kpeg1969 (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You would think that Rob, atleast that was what it use to be. And if the Mayor's Wife is a employee of the hospital does that not give some kind of conflict? Now if Rusty as he quoted to me (I AM THE HOSPITAL SO WHAT GOES ON HERE I KNOW IT FIRST! thats a joke he didn't know of the ICU WEDNESDAY NIGHT SMACK AROUND BACK IN OCT.'08 UNTIL I TOLD HIM!) is in charge of everything that comes and goes in that death hole how come we are not hearing anything come out of "I AM THE HOSPITAL'S OFFICE" Why cant he pay for His Hospital ( thats what ppl do when they own homes and cars) but I guess he is exempt from having to speak up about HIS HOSPITAL!
Posted by jethro (anonymous) on April 3, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i just moved here and i'm trying to figure out what is going on with our hospital. can someone let me know?
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