Perhaps it makes sense that the only physician elected to the hospital commission would ask what practices promote the health of the board. Two different ideas of board health were discussed at the January 4th meeting.

Commissioner Tony DeLeo nominated incumbents Jill Buhler as board chair and Mari Dressler as secretary, explaining he felt they had both done an excellent job and could offer continuity during a time of turmoil. Dressler seconded the motion. (22:50) Buhler was appointed to the commission 22 years ago. Dressler was elected in 2009.

Commissioner Kees Kolff nominated fellow commissioner Matt Ready to the role of chair, but none of the other commissioners seconded the nomination. Kolff noted the board had previously discussed spreading the opportunity for chairing the board. He said, “I believe in opportunity being made to people who have experience serving on the board...having different people take that responsibility and opportunity is healthy for a board.” (23:20) Kolff and Ready are the most recent additions to the board.

With the exception of Kolff, all of the commissioners, including Ready, voted in favor of DeLeo's motion.

Continuity or change: Whatever the board members decide is best for themselves, it will be the voters of Jefferson County who will ultimately settle the question. Commissioner DeLeo is the longest-serving member of the board, starting 44 years ago. He is also the commissioner whose term of office will next expire.

Note: This post references a recording of the hospital commissioners meeting that can be accessed for free at http://www.jeffersonhealthcare.org/sites/www/Uploads/media/01042017.MP3 The numbers in parentheses above are the minutes and seconds in the recording.