EDITORIAL: Barton's departure a loss to community

Posted 7/6/10

Call it lucky number 13. Thirteen years ago, the Powell Valley Healthcare Board hired the 13th candidate interviewed for the position of chief executive officer.

In Rod Barton, Powell Valley Healthcare found an esteemed director with financial …

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EDITORIAL: Barton's departure a loss to community

Posted

Call it lucky number 13. Thirteen years ago, the Powell Valley Healthcare Board hired the 13th candidate interviewed for the position of chief executive officer.In Rod Barton, Powell Valley Healthcare found an esteemed director with financial savvy and strong leadership skills to grow the institution as a profitable, reputable health-care facility in the region.The numbers speak for themselves.When Barton began in 1997, Powell Valley Healthcare was operating in the red with a nearly $1 million deficit. Thirteen years later, the budget is very much in the black — to the tune of $6.5 million in cash available, or 57.5 days of operating expenses.Under his leadership, the hospital expanded to include an assisted living center, a walk-in clinic, an MRI and a brand-new medical clinic to accommodate a growing number of physicians who have signed on during Barton's tenure. Last year, Barton was one of 50 hospital CEOs in the nation honored by the American Hospital Association.His skillful leadership over the past 13 years makes Barton's recent resignation hard to swallow. Barton's departure, effective in late August, is indeed a loss to Powell Valley Healthcare and the community as a whole.His resignation also comes at a difficult time as health care issues are hotly contested nationally and at a crossroads locally. Next month, Park County voters will decide on a primary ballot whether to fund a $14.2 million capital-facilities tax for proposed renovation and expansion of Cody's West Park Hospital.Barton is leaving Powell Valley Healthcare in better shape than he found it in — and the challenge for his successor is to continue in that vein.

Call it lucky number 13. Thirteen years ago, the Powell Valley Healthcare Board hired the 13th candidate interviewed for the position of chief executive officer.

In Rod Barton, Powell Valley Healthcare found an esteemed director with financial savvy and strong leadership skills to grow the institution as a profitable, reputable health-care facility in the region.

The numbers speak for themselves.

When Barton began in 1997, Powell Valley Healthcare was operating in the red with a nearly $1 million deficit. Thirteen years later, the budget is very much in the black — to the tune of $6.5 million in cash available, or 57.5 days of operating expenses.

Under his leadership, the hospital expanded to include an assisted living center, a walk-in clinic, an MRI and a brand-new medical clinic to accommodate a growing number of physicians who have signed on during Barton's tenure.

Last year, Barton was one of 50 hospital CEOs in the nation honored by the American Hospital Association.

His skillful leadership over the past 13 years makes Barton's recent resignation hard to swallow. Barton's departure, effective in late August, is indeed a loss to Powell Valley Healthcare and the community as a whole.

His resignation also comes at a difficult time as health care issues are hotly contested nationally and at a crossroads locally. Next month, Park County voters will decide on a primary ballot whether to fund a $14.2 million capital-facilities tax for proposed renovation and expansion of Cody's West Park Hospital.

Barton is leaving Powell Valley Healthcare in better shape than he found it in — and the challenge for his successor is to continue in that vein.

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