DHHS Survey and Changes to Imaging Contract at BBGH Board of Trustees November Meeting
Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) Board of Trustees met on Monday, October 27, 2025, in the Alliance Room. Board members reviewed and approved the consent calendar, which included the financial report, policy updates, capital purchases and credentialing.
Quality and Safety Report
Chief Nursing Officer Erica Lauder informed the board that the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services recently conducted a relicensing certification survey of the hospital. These types of surveys by the state are unannounced. The surveyors toured fifty-three areas and commented on how impressed they were of the facility and staff. “The surveyors praised our staff for their compassionate and skillful care, as well as the cleanliness and organization of our facility,” said Lauder. The hospital received six deficiencies requiring actions plans, which will be reviewed during a follow-up survey in forty-five days before relicensing approval. Lauder said, “Overall, the survey went very well, and I credit the teams and all of the individuals who were interviewed and presented information to the state.”
Medical Staff Reports
Chief of Staff Dr. Narjes reported that the Medical Staff is working to maintain a strong revenue cycle. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shelmadine reminded the board of Dr. Chu’s retirement party on Thursday, October 30th at the West Side Event Center. Dr. Chu’s retirement will leave a vacancy in the Emergency Department for which Dr. Shelmadine is currently conducting interviews. There will be continued recruiting efforts as Physician Assistant Jessica Kotopka resigned from BBGH in September, and Nurse Practitioner Kailee Kelly has resigned and will conclude services at the end of 2025.
Executive Staff Report
Chief Operations Officer Gabe Behling reported that strategic planning for the next three, five, and seven years in the Information Technology department has been completed. Areas of software, equipment, and changes in the electronic health record program, Meditech, have all been considered for the future needs of BBGH. A move from on-site servers to the cloud-based systems is also a top priority as future needs are being assessed. An assessment of the hospital’s cybersecurity will also take place in the near future. Behling told the board that the Meditech optimization plan is at ninety percent complete. This optimization plan allows for BBGH to participate in CyncHealth. “We had a big win with CyncHealth, which is a win for our patients, now that information can be shared across the state,” said Behling. CyncHealth is a technological infrastructure that enables hospitals across Nebraska to share medical records in order to provide better patient care and improve community health outcomes.
In Behling’s other report, the diagnostic imaging department is making major changes to its contract. The diagnostic imaging department is transitioning services from Regional West Medical Center to Casper Medical Imaging in Casper, WY. This partnership is expected to greatly improve patient care and customer satisfaction, as well as give patients better and faster services. Behling also updated the board that the rural health clinics in Alliance and Hemingford will be reviewed for the biennial compliance evaluation next week, as required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Board of Trustees
The BBGH Board of Trustees approved the 2025-2026 Officers as presented. The board includes Chairman Dr. Tom Furman, MS, DMV, Treasurer Randy Langemeier, CPA, Secretary John Annen, Board Member Tom Cummings, and Board Member Barb Straub. The Trustees are all volunteers, chosen from a list of applications submitted to the Box Butte County Commissioners whenever a term expires.
Employee Recognition
The Employee of the Month for October, Staff Nurse Christina Rodriguez, LPN, was recognized at the meeting. The Board was also introduced to new employees including Registration Clerk Crystal Crouse and Environmental Services Technician Norma Martinez.
The meeting moved into executive session at 12:40 PM. The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2025, at noon in the Alliance Room. The public is welcome to attend. Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.