Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co. WI

May 4, 2011, Front Page

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Congressman Kind and USDA present Grant to MMC

Neillsville Memorial Medical Center (MMC) CEO Scott Polenz (fourth from left) displays a $50,000 grant check the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) presented MMC Thursday, April 28, and poses with (left to right) MMC Dr. Tim Meyer, MMC Chief Financial Officer Kelly Moen, U. S. Congressman Ron Kind, USDA Rural Development Administrative Programs Director Lori Wells, MMC Information Systems manager Travis Obrycki and USDA Rural Development Area Director Sue Larson.  The grant will help MMC update current records to an electronic health records system.  (Photo by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

By Peter Spicer

Congressman Ron Kind and U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) representatives visited Neillsville’s Memorial Medical Center (MMC) Thursday, April 28, 2011 and presented MMC with a $50,000 grant so the hospital can update its current records to an electronic health records system.

MMC received the $50,000 Rural Development Community Facility Grant, as well as a $500,000 USDA loan.

USDA Rural Development branch representatives and Kind presented MMC staff with the grant check, awarded through the USDA’s Community Facilities Grant Program.  The grant is designated to help finance MMC’s approximately $1.2 million electronic health record implementation.

In addition to grant funds, the USDA awarded MMC a $500,000 low-rate loan to help its cash flow for the remainder of the project.  MMC will use the grant and loan to purchase software to convert MMC’s records into an Electronic Health (Medical) Records System.

“We are honored and grateful to be selected as a recipient of this grant,” MMC CEO Scott Polenz stated in a recent press release.  “Full implementation of our electronic health record will be a journey like none other, and we are well-prepared throughout our organization.  The support from the USDA and Congressman Kind’s office is certainly a bright light in this journey.

Kind toured MMC and met with its staff and community members to discuss the future of rural health-care.

USDA Rural Development administrative programs director Lori Wells, Sue Larson of USDA Rural Development, MMC staff and others also attended the grant check presentation.

“This is a big day for Memorial,” Polenz told those gathering at MMC for the grant check presentation.  “We’re much honored [Kind is] here today.”

Kind told those attending he’s always been impressed with MMC and added the grant and loan will help MMC “get to the next level.”

The funding will help MMC collect the health records it needs to treat patients and will help MMC’s efficiency, Kind stated.

Kind also addressed state healthcare issues, including the rising cost of healthcare and stated rising healthcare cost are causing state fiscal problems.

“The root of this is raising healthcare costs,” said Kind.  “That’s what we need to focus on.”

“The state needs to develop a “true healthcare system,” not a “sick care” program, stated Kind.

MMC needs to have the ability to train the right staff and be able to retain that staff, explained Kind.

Wells, who grew up in a small community, also addressed those attending and stated because of her background, she knows the importance of quality rural healthcare.

“[MMC does] fine, fine work,” said Wells.  “We are proud and we are pleased” about what MMC is accomplishing.

"MMC is creating jobs that will stay in the area, said Wells.  “My congrats to all of you!”

Kind also issued a press release Thursday, April 28, after the MMC grant check presentation.

“Western Wisconsin doctors, nurses and patients deserve a 21^st century healthcare system that works for them,” said Kind in the press release.  “Implementation of the newest technology – including electronic medical records – will not only increase the efficiency and quality of care delivered but will help curb rapidly growing healthcare costs by eliminating unnecessary tests and procedures.  I am please that Memorial Medical Center will be able to implement t his important medical records technology and better meet the needs of the community it serves.”

“Full implementation of this technology will include a lot of hard work, but we are fully prepared to get it done,” said Polenz in the press release.  “We are thankful to Congressman Kind and the USDA for making this possible.”

“Clark County typifies rural America like many places in Wisconsin,” said Wells in the press release, speaking on behalf of state director Stan Gruszynski.  “It is full of hard-working leaders who understand their communities and its needs.  It has people who understand the importance of having medical services in their own communities and who know that rural Wisconsin residents should have access to the same services as their urban counterparts.  These types of innovative projects help create community sustainability, jobs, and quality-of-life improvements rural communities deserve.  Rural Development is pleased to be a part of bringing the technology and efficiencies that go along with electronic medical records systems to Neillsville Memorial Hospital.

MMC is a community owned, nonprofit, independent healthcare center encompassing three rural healthcare clinics, a critical access hospital, a home health agency and a licensed assisted living facility.

The Rural Development Community Facility program goal is to improve the quality of life for rural residents through the provision of essential community facilities, such as health-care, public safety and education.  The program provides facilities, equipment and furnishings to house and provide these services; operating funds are not available through this program.