LHS updates Lakewood Health System President Tim Rice (left), stopped by the regular Motley City Council meeting Oct. 27, to give the council an update on LHS activity over the past two years. Also pictured is Ben Oleson, with Community Growth Institute, Baxter. (Staples World photo by Dawn Schimpp Timbs) Lakewood Health System is doing well and continuing to make strides in a number of areas, reports LHS President Tim Rice, who has been with the nonprofit organization since 1980.

Rice stopped by the regular Motley City Council meeting Oct. 27, to offer a summary of LHS activity over the past two years; and to answer questions.

The roster of accomplishments for LHS is a long one; and it's easy to see why Rice and other leaders at Lakewood have been recognized both nationally and locally for their signifi- cant achievements in rural health.

According to their 2008- 2009 Annual Hospital District Report, as presented by Rice at the meeting, LHS has hired at least 13 medical staff members during that time; and is currently recruiting three more family practice doctors, one orthopedic mid level; and one more OB/GYN.

"If we could find these people today, we'd hire them today," Rice said.

Other highlights in Rice's report included ongoing construction/remodeling of LHS facilities, including the Pillager and Browerville clinics; and the former Rexall Drug building in Staples which has been renovated and leased to Midwest Family Eye Clinic. Other new additions to Lakewood include the Sanctuary Garden (thanks to many donations); and the purchase of Soulstis in Baxter.

Many new services have been added at LHS, including a behavioral health unit; outpatient mental health services; case management of chronic illness; palliative care; aesthetic services, infant security system; orthopedics; and digital mammography.

"Over the past two years we've been setting records as to the number of births and surgeries that have taken place here," Rice said.

Rice assured the council that the building of the new facility (main campus) in Staples has not negatively impacted the Motley Clinic at all, which continues to be busy and a viable resource to the community.

Financially, Rice reported, LHS has continued to meet its financial goals; and it has never had a tax levy since the district formed in 1973. "We've had the ability to tax for 30-some years and we never have," Rice said, adding that the board was very clear about this directive when they hired him; and it's something they still hold to. "We're trying to be self-sufficient," Rice said.

Lakewood Health System continues to focus on reducing their costs and appropriately managing their debt, Rice mentioned to the council. They also have a community assistance program (which started four years ago); and have given away approximately two million dollars worth of free care this past year alone.

"We want to make sure people have access to health care, regardless of their ability to pay," Rice said.

All of Lakewood's satellite clinics are interconnected; and they continue to work on having all records/ data stored electronically.

Rice also mentioned that LHS has two new district board members: Lana Hansen, City of Motley; and Marie Rose, Meadow Brook Township.

Council member Rob

Sampson asked how many

people LHS employed. "Right now, about 850," Rice

answered.

Mayor Konrad Alexander asked if LHS had plans to expand in Motley. Rice said that LHS does own other property near the existing Motley clinic. There is opportunity for development in that area, he said, but did not foresee any construction by LHS in the near future.