WMC financial numbers for July are bright while WMC foundation aims for new ambulance

Winneshiek Medical Center Chief Financial Officer Lynn Luloff told the trustees board last night, "We are off to a very strong start," citing total patient revenue favorable to budget by $345,317 for July.

Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Radtke addressed WMC's lockdown late last month in response to "a potential safety threat" when a man allegedly made threats against a physician. No charges were filed. "We hope something like this doesn't happen again," she told the board, and shared gratitude for the cooperation of all involved in handling the incident. Radtke was out of the country at the time it happened.

John Noel, president of the Winneshiek Medical Center Foundation, announced that a goal of raising $232,000 for a new ambulance was "very, very, ambitious," but that they expected to raise the money by the end of this calendar year.  Ambulance supervisor Steve VandenBrink showed a video illustrating the importance of local ambulances and pooling emergency medical services of surrounding towns. He said that in 2014 WMC responded to 1,500 emergency calls. While WMC operates three ambulances, one would be retired from service when a new one is purchased.

Also reported to the board, among the 1,332 critical access hospitals throughout the United States, Winneshiek Medical Center was ranked in the top 50 by Becker's Hospital Review and Lisa Radtke was recognized for her efforts.