HMH Board Reviews Strong October Performance, Approves Medical Staff Reappointments
Recently, the Howard Memorial Hospital Board of Directors met for their regular monthly meeting receiving updates on medical staff credentialing and a detailed financial report for the month ending Oct. 31, 2025.
Medical Staff Report
The board approved several reappointments to the medical staff, including:
- Jarrod Stokes, RN, Wound Care
- Catherine Brea Lyons, RN, Wound Care
- Dr. James Keith Mitchell, Courtesy
- Dr. John Skowronski, Emergency Services
- Dr. John Hearnsberger, Surgery, Howard Memorial Hospital
Financial Snapshot
CFO Bill Craig’s report showed a strong October, with the hospital posting $346,585 in actual revenue.
Hospital cash receipts for October totaled $2,911,538. The month’s income statement also included $114,728 in ARPA stimulus funds, along with $223,287 in estimated sales tax revenue recorded as non-operating income.
Operational metrics were largely positive:
- Average Daily Census exceeded expectations at 9.2, compared to the budgeted 8.6.
- Swing Bed volume accounted for 32% of inpatient days, surpassing the 30% target.
- The Emergency Department logged 701 visits, 26 above budget.
- Outpatient visits reached 2,911.
- Surgery volumes were also strong, with 132 cases versus 115 budgeted.
However, the report noted challenges as bad debt and charity care exceeded budget, reducing collectible patient revenue by $65,318.
On the expense side, the hospital saw overall cost savings:
- Operating costs were $179,398 below budget.
- Salaries, benefits, and contract labor ran $25,790 under budget, with full-time equivalents dropping to 184.0, slightly below the budgeted 186.6.
- Contract labor costs were $6,059 above budget due to staffing agencies filling four FTE positions.
- Other expenses remained $37,697 under budget.
The hospital ended the month with 123 days cash on hand, short of its target of more than 145 days.