SEOEMS may get new manager
Published 10:41 am Thursday, October 21, 2010
Director resigns
It’s an opportunity to prove that the Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Services can function successfully.
That’s why the executive committee Wednesday tentatively agreed to sign a contract with MedCare, a Columbus-based emergency organization that recently did a limited review of the ambulance district’s finances.
MedCare will be in charge of managing the once financially beleaguered district that provides ambulance service to Lawrence, Athens and Jackson counties.
That decision followed the committee accepting the resignation of SEOEMS director Eric Kuhn, effective Oct. 31. The Medcare contract would begin Nov. 1
“Medcare has partnered with Cabell Huntington Hospital and Health Net,” Lawrence County Commissioner Jason Stephens said. “They have a lot of Tri-State area partners. I am encouraged by it.”
Stephens is also on the SEOEMS board.
Recently the organization did a limited review of SEOEMS and deemed that it was a “financially viable organization.”
Earlier this year SEOEMS was placed on a financial critical list as bill collections were behind causing significant cash shortfalls. However, the three counties that make up the district advanced SEOEMS a total of $385,000 to help it pay its bills. That, along with a change in billing procedures, has improved the district’s financial health.
However, Athens and Jackson commissioners voted to leave the district, effective the first of the year. Jackson did qualify its decision saying it would remain in the district, if its economic situation improved.
“We reviewed the financials (at Wednesday’s meeting) and they have continued to improve,” Stephens said. “I look forward to working with MedCare. I am excited about their having the chance to prove it is viable.”
The entire board will vote on the MedCare decision at its regularly scheduled board meeting on Nov. 9.
Calls made to Kuhn were not returned by press time.