With the end of the year close at hand, the Campbell County Health Board of Trustees met for their last meeting of 2024 to go over progress made, welcome some new blood and select their leadership for 2025.
Ahead of the discussion, hospital board chair Alan Stuber recommended that Tom Murphy replace him as chairman for the upcoming year, while board member Sara Hartsaw take up the vice-chair position. Stuber also suggested that Randy Hite and Bill Rice continue their duties as treasurer and secretary, respectively.
During the discussion a number of trustees, including Stuber and Hartsaw, highlighted the importance of stability within the officer positions. Members of the hospital board are elected to officer positions for one year terms at the end of a given year, however Stuber noted that the board has had some success with an informal two-year model.
“The one thing that I have noticed in my time of being on the board is that it takes time, not only to adjust to the role but to learn the role,” Stuber said. “I liked seeing us move from a year to year (term) to every two years, because, as we have pointed out in the past, it seems like every time you finally start getting everything together and learning the role, we change officers.”
During the discussion, Rice recommended Dr. John Mansell serve as vice chair. Rice argued that while Hartsaw has gathered a lot of experience as a member of the board, the vice chair should be taken by a newer board member, allowing them to get the most out of the position and gain some experience as a board officer.
Hartsaw suggested revisiting the officers positions in a year’s time, noting that of the positions, chairman and treasurer were the ones that benefit the most from stability. Rice ultimately declined to make a motion. Following further discussion on the candidates, the board voted to approve Stuber’s recommendations.
The meeting also saw the board welcome Dr. Angela Biggs to her first meeting as a trustee.
A longtime OB/GYN with the hospital, Dr. Biggs was selected to replace trustee Dr. Mark Hoskinson, who resigned from the board in early October. Biggs was selected by the hospital board in late November and will serve out the rest of the term, which will be up for election in 2026.
“She enjoys caring for women at all stages of life, so we want to welcome Dr. Biggs to the board and thank her stepping up, running and being a part of the organization at this level,” CCH Chief Executive Officer Matthew Shahan said.