A representative of the Missouri Hospital Association gave a presentation on the association's efforts to encourage Missouri legislators to pass new legislation to help cover uninsured Missourians. Saying Medicaid was effectively dead in Missouri the representative said hospitals, their administrators and boards of directors would play an important role, along with individuals, in informing legislators of the importance of providing the coverage, which is dubbed Insure-Missouri.

The board was introduced to the hospital's new chief nursing officer, Harlo McCall, who moved to the area from Texas three weeks ago. McCall gave the board an overview of what he wanted to accomplish in his new role.

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"NRMC will not only meet the standard, it will set the standard for exceptional care," McCall said. "We will work with the doctors and listen to our customers to exceed expectations for patient care."

Hospital CEO Judy Feuquay invited the board to a National Doctors Day breakfast in the board room, Friday, at 7:30 a.m.

"We wish to honor the commitment and dedication of our physicians who provide excellent medical care to our community," Feuquay said. "We have secured a full-page print ad featuring our physicians and are presenting them with token gifts to show our appreciation for what they do."

Feuquay told the board the annual Community Health Fair would be held at the Osage Prairie YMCA, April 19, and that she expects turnout to be high, as is usual with the event.

"It has always been a popular event, and I expect that this one will be as well," Feuquay said

The Information Technolo-gy project --changing out the hospital's old computers and software systems with updated equipment and software -- is on track as well, according to Feuquay.

"The project is proceeding well with the weekly Core Team meetings becoming a routine part of our work activity," Feuquay said. "Delivery of our first software module is complete and three additional software deliveries are scheduled for later this month."

In other business the board:

* Approved tuck-pointing the south tower of the hospital.

* Renewed the Missouri Elderly and Handicapped Transportation Assistance Program grant agreement.

* Renewed the contract for physician and program consultation services with Progres-sive Healthcare.

* Renewed a contract with Dr. John Weaver for space, communications and laundry services.

* Renewed Dr. Warren Lovinger as Medical Director of the Cardiac Rehab and Cardiopulmonary departments.