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Feb. 11, 2004
MGHS Board
of Trustees president: "Many challenges lie ahead"
Timothy Larson re-elected president of Board
Timothy J. Larson
Timothy
J. Larson of Marquette says the challenges that face health care
this year, and subsequent years, are many.
Yet, the president of the Marquette General Health System Board of Trustees,
re-elected to his second term as president in January, says that, locally and
across the region, Marquette General remains committed to offering the finest
available health care that Upper Peninsula and northeast Wisconsin residents
have grown to expect.
“Marquette General has been a very stable and progressive healthcare provider.
It is our goal to push forward,” he said. “To accomplish this, we
need to constantly update and invest in our human resources, technology and equipment.”
That commitment, however, isn’t achieved without a rapidly increasing
price tag, Larson said.
“The reality is that we live in an era of uncertain times, and healthcare
dollars continue to shrink,” said Larson, general manager/owner of the
Holiday Inn in Marquette. “The problems facing health care are complex,
and we would be naïve to think we’re immune from them. There are many
challenges that lie ahead.”
Larson cites several key factors that ultimately drive up healthcare costs:
rising pharmaceutical costs, continuing cuts in state Medicaid, and shortfalls
in federal Medicare reimbursement.
The cost of new technologies necessary for patients, plus increased staffing
costs, impact the cost pressures facing Marquette General, Larson said.
“The Board and Administration understand the challenges facing our health
system,” Larson said. “It’s imperative we invest in equipment
and supplies that allow our exceptional employees to work more economically,
while being in position to provide the latest technology and services that the
public expects. We continue to work cooperatively with our medical staff and
its leadership for the benefit of the many patients we treat.”
Continued cost controls, coupled with serving greater numbers of patients,
are goals the Board has set for this year, Larson said.
“State and federal budgets are being squeezed,” he said. “In
the past year, we have implemented more than $6 million in cost reductions. We
have introduced a number of across-the-board, budget-tightening strategies that
will not affect the quality healthcare services our patients and families expect.”
Paulette Lindberg will continue to serve as the Board vice-president and Richard
R. Schaefer as the assistant secretary and treasurer. Wayne A. Johnson is the
secretary.
Re-elected to the Board in January, in addition to the officers, were: Mark
A. Aho; Mark L. Callaghan, MD; Monsignor Louis C. Cappo; William Jean, MD,
Chief of Staff; Stephen C. Mattson; Michael P. Mlinar; Lois A. Michelin; Larry
Lewis, MD; the Rev. Paul A. Weber; and K. Charles Wright, MD.
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