Times staff report
Wednesday’s Medicine Bow Elementary School spring concert should include a bit of break dancing.
Kenny Wohl can do the worm, a dance move where the performer ripples across the stage floor.
Wohl’s work has been particularly impressive to Jill McCann, the school’s music teacher. He is in the special-needs program because the right side of his brain doesn’t communicate with the left side, which means his logic does not communicate well with arts and emotion.
On stage along with 20-or-so peers, Wohl will also be part of the band.
The concert will be held in the school’s gym at 7 p.m.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Elk Mountain spring concert on tap
Times staff report
At Tuesday’s Elk Mountain Elementary School spring concert, visitors will have the chance to hear the accordion.
Garrett Irene has natural talent, coming from a musical family, but his work ethic surprises music teacher Jill McCann.
The youngster found his grandfather’s accordion when the family was cleaning house, and he decided he wanted to play. Making the transition from last year’s instrument of choice — the harmonica — to the air-controlled piano instrument, Irene had to work hard to learn from books and tapes purchased on the Internet.
The handful of Irene’s peers at the school will perform alongside Irene in their annual band and choir concert at 7 p.m. in the Elk Mountain Elementary gym. Students should also read their definitions of what music means to them.
At Tuesday’s Elk Mountain Elementary School spring concert, visitors will have the chance to hear the accordion.
Garrett Irene has natural talent, coming from a musical family, but his work ethic surprises music teacher Jill McCann.
The youngster found his grandfather’s accordion when the family was cleaning house, and he decided he wanted to play. Making the transition from last year’s instrument of choice — the harmonica — to the air-controlled piano instrument, Irene had to work hard to learn from books and tapes purchased on the Internet.
The handful of Irene’s peers at the school will perform alongside Irene in their annual band and choir concert at 7 p.m. in the Elk Mountain Elementary gym. Students should also read their definitions of what music means to them.
Scholarship for women offered
Times staff report
Scholarships are available for women pursuing degrees, licenses or certifications through higher education.
The Philanthropic Education Organization, based in Des Moines, Iowa, has funds available for women needing financial assistance to pursue a degree.
To qualify, applicants must be accepted to a school of higher education and be pursuing a degree on a part-time or full-time basis for the semester of application. She must also have and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
Applications for the two $500 scholarships, to be awarded in $250 sums throughout two semesters, are due May 15.
Patty Pedersen, student services coordinator at the Carbon County Higher Education Center, estimated that the scholarships could fund a class or a few books.
Paperwork and information is available from Pedersen at CCHEC’s main campus or by calling 328-9204.
Scholarships are available for women pursuing degrees, licenses or certifications through higher education.
The Philanthropic Education Organization, based in Des Moines, Iowa, has funds available for women needing financial assistance to pursue a degree.
To qualify, applicants must be accepted to a school of higher education and be pursuing a degree on a part-time or full-time basis for the semester of application. She must also have and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
Applications for the two $500 scholarships, to be awarded in $250 sums throughout two semesters, are due May 15.
Patty Pedersen, student services coordinator at the Carbon County Higher Education Center, estimated that the scholarships could fund a class or a few books.
Paperwork and information is available from Pedersen at CCHEC’s main campus or by calling 328-9204.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Artwork 'bear'ly misses first place
Photo courtesy of Pam KraftBy Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Bradley Russell was getting frustrated with his bear’s design, so as a joke, he just started to draw it into a pile of rocks.
The other advanced art students from Encampment High School quickly latched onto his design, enhanced it and turned it into the project that took third place out of 35 entries at last weekend’s state art competition.
The contest asked students across Wyoming to decorate a three-dimensional, Fiberglas bear with any design theme, much like the pronghorns scattered throughout Rawlins. The competition celebrated the 20th anniversary of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson.
“We wanted to use a bear because it’s a Wyoming animal, it has a smooth figure and it’s a blank canvas,” said Jane Lavino, Sugden family curator of education at the museum.
The students in Encampment thought their rendering of Vedauwoo, the rock formation near Laramie, would take first place. Brandon Russell, Bradley’s older brother, formed and painted the rocks while his peers personalized the project with molded figures.
“It was like having a Play-Doh hour to build each figure,” Brandon Russell said. The bear was built from epoxy, a sticky substance that can be sculpted before it has a chance to harden.
Art teacher Pam Kraft said her favorite figures are the raccoons that are stealing chips and Pepsi from the landscape artist’s tent. The inhabitants of “Bear Rock,” are visible upon closer examination, she said. Rabbits peer from the rocks on which an eagle, ram, deer and mountain lion are perched.
Though the students won a $2,000 cash prize for the furtherance of the school’s art program, they are disappointed with not getting the blue ribbon. The $7,000 for first place would have bought them a trip to an art center in Sante Fe, N.M., or New York City, not to mention a lot of glory.
However, Kraft said people outside the program who have seen the statue are excited about it. She is unsure of what she’ll do with the bear when it returns from it’s tour of the state.
“There are a lot of creative ways to use these once they’re done,” said Lavino. According to her, some schools have talked about auctioning the piece, some plan to display it and some will donate theirs to the community.
Tree cities plan to celebrate Arbor Day
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Friday is Arbor Day, the day when America celebrates its trees.
To observe the day, the three Carbon County communities that are members of Tree City USA — a national program dedicated to enhancing community forestry programs — will hold celebrations in the coming weeks.
Rawlins has been a member for more than 12 years, Saratoga can claim about five years and Medicine Bow is stepping out of its infancy and into its third year.
To become a Tree City, communities must designate a tree board or a city department responsible for public trees and designate $2 per resident from the annual budget for tree maintenance and planting. They must also plan an Arbor Day celebration.
Rawlins City Planner Dan Mika estimates that the city spends about $6,000 each year on new trees. Sometimes, unexpected maintenance costs prevent planting new trees, such as the case of last fall’s snowstorm that toppled numerous branches and trees around Rawlins.
“A lot of money was spent toward safety instead of improvement,” Mika said.
Medicine Bow has a large budget — $10,000 this year — for the size of the town, which numbers 274.
“The town has been very supportive,” said Jim Colman, chairman of Medicine Bow’s tree board.
While Rawlins is scheduled to hold its planting festivities on Saturday, Medicine Bow and Saratoga plan to delay theirs until the weather is more suitable for the young trees.
Saratoga has not yet set a date, but the event should be an educational one where elementary students and staff learn about trees and planting, a town official said.
Medicine Bow has set its event for May 17, but plans have not been finalized. In its first two years, the community planted trees in the park and around its baseball diamond. The community also created plaques identifying the trees and three welcome signs for the town entrances.
Times staff writer
Friday is Arbor Day, the day when America celebrates its trees.
To observe the day, the three Carbon County communities that are members of Tree City USA — a national program dedicated to enhancing community forestry programs — will hold celebrations in the coming weeks.
Rawlins has been a member for more than 12 years, Saratoga can claim about five years and Medicine Bow is stepping out of its infancy and into its third year.
To become a Tree City, communities must designate a tree board or a city department responsible for public trees and designate $2 per resident from the annual budget for tree maintenance and planting. They must also plan an Arbor Day celebration.
Rawlins City Planner Dan Mika estimates that the city spends about $6,000 each year on new trees. Sometimes, unexpected maintenance costs prevent planting new trees, such as the case of last fall’s snowstorm that toppled numerous branches and trees around Rawlins.
“A lot of money was spent toward safety instead of improvement,” Mika said.
Medicine Bow has a large budget — $10,000 this year — for the size of the town, which numbers 274.
“The town has been very supportive,” said Jim Colman, chairman of Medicine Bow’s tree board.
While Rawlins is scheduled to hold its planting festivities on Saturday, Medicine Bow and Saratoga plan to delay theirs until the weather is more suitable for the young trees.
Saratoga has not yet set a date, but the event should be an educational one where elementary students and staff learn about trees and planting, a town official said.
Medicine Bow has set its event for May 17, but plans have not been finalized. In its first two years, the community planted trees in the park and around its baseball diamond. The community also created plaques identifying the trees and three welcome signs for the town entrances.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Local teen wins art contest
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Since the fifth grade, Brandon Russell has painted ducks and sent them to Jackson in April.
The nine-by-11 paintings are judged as part of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-sponsored art competition for kindergartners to 12th-graders. Most years, Russell placed first in his age group, but never best overall. Until this year.
“It was my last chance to enter and I finally got what I was looking for,” the Encampment High School senior said.
His oil painting of a Cinnamon Teal, a reddish-colored bird local to the Platte Valley, earned the blue ribbon in Wyoming and will appear as one of about 50 paintings to travel through the country this summer. Each state and U.S. territory should be represented in the show.
The painting made its way to San Diego for the national competition on April 17, but did not win. Instead, a rendering of Hawaiian Geese by Seokkyun Hong, a student in Dallas, will appear on the stamp, which sells for $5 to support conservation education. Hong also receives a $5,000 prize along with a trip to Washington, D.C.
In the past, Russell has painted trumpeter swans, Canadian geese, a green-winged teal, a pintail and even a prior attempt at a cinnamon teal.
“I wish I’d had my own photos” to work from, he said. He used several reference photos to create his artwork. “(The birds) are real pretty,” he said.
When Russell first entered the contest at 11, he was already a duck hunter. Since it’s necessary to purchase a $5 duck stamp to hunt migratory water birds, the idea of his art appearing on the stamp was appealing.
Now, seven years later, he’s not sure if he’ll try his luck in the adult competition. “It’s real tough,” he said. “Some of those guys spend two years on their entries.” In comparison, Russell spent an hour a day for a month on this year’s entry.
Russell is going to the University of Wyoming next year to major in art. The $1,500 winnings can be used any way he wants, but is recommended for furthering his art education.
“I might buy a dirt bike,” he admitted after outlining plans to save the funds for college.
Times staff writer
Since the fifth grade, Brandon Russell has painted ducks and sent them to Jackson in April.
The nine-by-11 paintings are judged as part of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-sponsored art competition for kindergartners to 12th-graders. Most years, Russell placed first in his age group, but never best overall. Until this year.
“It was my last chance to enter and I finally got what I was looking for,” the Encampment High School senior said.
His oil painting of a Cinnamon Teal, a reddish-colored bird local to the Platte Valley, earned the blue ribbon in Wyoming and will appear as one of about 50 paintings to travel through the country this summer. Each state and U.S. territory should be represented in the show.
The painting made its way to San Diego for the national competition on April 17, but did not win. Instead, a rendering of Hawaiian Geese by Seokkyun Hong, a student in Dallas, will appear on the stamp, which sells for $5 to support conservation education. Hong also receives a $5,000 prize along with a trip to Washington, D.C.
In the past, Russell has painted trumpeter swans, Canadian geese, a green-winged teal, a pintail and even a prior attempt at a cinnamon teal.
“I wish I’d had my own photos” to work from, he said. He used several reference photos to create his artwork. “(The birds) are real pretty,” he said.
When Russell first entered the contest at 11, he was already a duck hunter. Since it’s necessary to purchase a $5 duck stamp to hunt migratory water birds, the idea of his art appearing on the stamp was appealing.
Now, seven years later, he’s not sure if he’ll try his luck in the adult competition. “It’s real tough,” he said. “Some of those guys spend two years on their entries.” In comparison, Russell spent an hour a day for a month on this year’s entry.
Russell is going to the University of Wyoming next year to major in art. The $1,500 winnings can be used any way he wants, but is recommended for furthering his art education.
“I might buy a dirt bike,” he admitted after outlining plans to save the funds for college.
Clear the path!
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
When the big snowstorms hit Saratoga, the coaches head to the new track, shovels in hand, to clear a path for the kids to run.
It’s been a snowy winter, but that won’t stop Saratoga’s track team from holding the school’s first invitational on Saturday. Scott Stevens, who hatched the project too build an all-weather track a decade ago, should be at the track’s inauguration.
Five to seven junior varsity and varsity teams should show up at the track, which is located west of Saratoga High School, at 9 a.m. for the field events. Running events should begin around 11:45 a.m. and should last about three hours.
As far as the track’s condition, coach Rex Hohnholt said despite the weather, it’s ready to go.
There’s still a 100-yard long snowdrift at the south end that’ll force the team to delay installing the bleachers. Instead, teams and spectators can join each other on the already sodded, well-drained football field.
Likewise, snow and mud have prevented connecting the plumbing in the restrooms. Alternatives include the nearby locker rooms and several portable restrooms rented for the event.
“We won’t have any problems,” Hohnholt said, but “it’s impossible to fight Mother Nature. There is a lot of snow and a lot of mud still, but you’ve just got to roll with the punches.”
Having the track finished this season is important, since the old track is in poor shape, according to Hohnholt. “If we’d not gotten this facility this year, we’d have been in a world of hurt. The kids are tickled pink.”
Times staff writer
When the big snowstorms hit Saratoga, the coaches head to the new track, shovels in hand, to clear a path for the kids to run.
It’s been a snowy winter, but that won’t stop Saratoga’s track team from holding the school’s first invitational on Saturday. Scott Stevens, who hatched the project too build an all-weather track a decade ago, should be at the track’s inauguration.
Five to seven junior varsity and varsity teams should show up at the track, which is located west of Saratoga High School, at 9 a.m. for the field events. Running events should begin around 11:45 a.m. and should last about three hours.
As far as the track’s condition, coach Rex Hohnholt said despite the weather, it’s ready to go.
There’s still a 100-yard long snowdrift at the south end that’ll force the team to delay installing the bleachers. Instead, teams and spectators can join each other on the already sodded, well-drained football field.
Likewise, snow and mud have prevented connecting the plumbing in the restrooms. Alternatives include the nearby locker rooms and several portable restrooms rented for the event.
“We won’t have any problems,” Hohnholt said, but “it’s impossible to fight Mother Nature. There is a lot of snow and a lot of mud still, but you’ve just got to roll with the punches.”
Having the track finished this season is important, since the old track is in poor shape, according to Hohnholt. “If we’d not gotten this facility this year, we’d have been in a world of hurt. The kids are tickled pink.”
Social services to be featured on site
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
As part of an overarching effort to unify the community, a Web site featuring information on social help organizations is being developed.
Among other issues, community violence and the need to help parents care for children between 3 and 5 p.m. have led members of the Carbon County community to seek a centralized social help network.
The network could provide answers to seemingly increasing problems, said Stephanie Moles, director of The Woman’s Heart, an organization in Casper that provides physical and emotional aid to women and children struggling with abuse.
To address the need, Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Safe Communities, a committee formed to respond to bullying in schools, is working with The Woman’s Heart to create an online database of assistance organizations. Moles described it as a “home-grown Google with community flavor.”
According to Moles, the site is a tool to bring the community together.
“How do we get out of the problem and into the solution?” Moles asked. “It’s knowledge. And the Web site would provide that.”
Carbon County is among six counties to appear on the Web site, and it should be the first with its own home page. Moles made the decision because she saw a desire for community unity during her visits to the area.
Theresa Pacheco of Project Prevention provided the information for the site. Each year, she publishes contact information and lists of services for area organizations. Alcoholics Anonymous, Carbon County Public Health, the Rawlins Police Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Project Reach Early Intervention Center and Preschool, and Carbon County Child Development have appeared in the book’s pages.
Marilyn Vercimak, curriculum director for Carbon County School District 1, wants the information widely accessible.
“The site should have links on the county, city and school Web sites... any site where people go to get information,” she said.
Vercimak is overseeing the site’s progress, which is pegged for mid-May completion.
The Woman’s Heart plans to provide training on how to use the site and implement it, but funding should come from participating organizations.
“We want it to be viable, self-sustaining and hugely informative,” Moles said. Anyone who does not maintain their information will be removed from the database.
Times staff writer
As part of an overarching effort to unify the community, a Web site featuring information on social help organizations is being developed.
Among other issues, community violence and the need to help parents care for children between 3 and 5 p.m. have led members of the Carbon County community to seek a centralized social help network.
The network could provide answers to seemingly increasing problems, said Stephanie Moles, director of The Woman’s Heart, an organization in Casper that provides physical and emotional aid to women and children struggling with abuse.
To address the need, Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Safe Communities, a committee formed to respond to bullying in schools, is working with The Woman’s Heart to create an online database of assistance organizations. Moles described it as a “home-grown Google with community flavor.”
According to Moles, the site is a tool to bring the community together.
“How do we get out of the problem and into the solution?” Moles asked. “It’s knowledge. And the Web site would provide that.”
Carbon County is among six counties to appear on the Web site, and it should be the first with its own home page. Moles made the decision because she saw a desire for community unity during her visits to the area.
Theresa Pacheco of Project Prevention provided the information for the site. Each year, she publishes contact information and lists of services for area organizations. Alcoholics Anonymous, Carbon County Public Health, the Rawlins Police Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Project Reach Early Intervention Center and Preschool, and Carbon County Child Development have appeared in the book’s pages.
Marilyn Vercimak, curriculum director for Carbon County School District 1, wants the information widely accessible.
“The site should have links on the county, city and school Web sites... any site where people go to get information,” she said.
Vercimak is overseeing the site’s progress, which is pegged for mid-May completion.
The Woman’s Heart plans to provide training on how to use the site and implement it, but funding should come from participating organizations.
“We want it to be viable, self-sustaining and hugely informative,” Moles said. Anyone who does not maintain their information will be removed from the database.
Hospital wants to clean up butts
Times staff report
It wasn’t on the agenda, but on Tuesday, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s board members raised a concern: smoking around the hospital building.
“It’s nasty how many cigarette butts there are,” said Art Canaday, the board’s treasurer. “There are at least 100 on the ground by the main entrance.”
The hospital has three designated smoking areas, according to Chief Executive Officer Patsy Carter. But Canaday said the areas are not being used. If they are, no ashtrays are available.
The board members and hospital administrative staff were unsure whether it was employees or visitors contributing to the problem. However, Canaday said the area near the emergency room littered with cigarette butts was likely due to employees because it is largely inaccessible to visitors.
All agreed that action should be taken. Carter should address it with maintenance workers in their upcoming meeting.
“That’s a visitor’s first impression,” said Rex Baldwin, vice chairman of the board. “It’s not our ideal to see folks smoking outside the ER.”
Also at the meeting, board members:
• Were notified that research results for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission’s study on rural health policies will be delayed until December 2008. The hospital was originally supposed to see them in the summer.
• Agreed to increase the amount an employee pays for health insurance each month. To help cover a cost increase of more than $80,000, employees should see about 1 percent of their total pay period earnings allocated to cover the premium. Spouses and dependents should be unaffected.
• Heard the hospital staff is still working with the University of Wyoming to secure a summer externship to encourage new nurse recruits. Two soon-to-be nursing graduates from elsewhere in the state have shown interest in coming to the hospital.
• Were notified that the hospital is under new liability and malpractice insurance for the amount of $465,000. The cost is up from last year’s $338,000.
• Were told of a decrease in the amount of contracted labor. Chief Financial Officer Florence Kostic said it was due to the staff workers taking on extra shifts.
It wasn’t on the agenda, but on Tuesday, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s board members raised a concern: smoking around the hospital building.
“It’s nasty how many cigarette butts there are,” said Art Canaday, the board’s treasurer. “There are at least 100 on the ground by the main entrance.”
The hospital has three designated smoking areas, according to Chief Executive Officer Patsy Carter. But Canaday said the areas are not being used. If they are, no ashtrays are available.
The board members and hospital administrative staff were unsure whether it was employees or visitors contributing to the problem. However, Canaday said the area near the emergency room littered with cigarette butts was likely due to employees because it is largely inaccessible to visitors.
All agreed that action should be taken. Carter should address it with maintenance workers in their upcoming meeting.
“That’s a visitor’s first impression,” said Rex Baldwin, vice chairman of the board. “It’s not our ideal to see folks smoking outside the ER.”
Also at the meeting, board members:
• Were notified that research results for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission’s study on rural health policies will be delayed until December 2008. The hospital was originally supposed to see them in the summer.
• Agreed to increase the amount an employee pays for health insurance each month. To help cover a cost increase of more than $80,000, employees should see about 1 percent of their total pay period earnings allocated to cover the premium. Spouses and dependents should be unaffected.
• Heard the hospital staff is still working with the University of Wyoming to secure a summer externship to encourage new nurse recruits. Two soon-to-be nursing graduates from elsewhere in the state have shown interest in coming to the hospital.
• Were notified that the hospital is under new liability and malpractice insurance for the amount of $465,000. The cost is up from last year’s $338,000.
• Were told of a decrease in the amount of contracted labor. Chief Financial Officer Florence Kostic said it was due to the staff workers taking on extra shifts.
Valley health fair is Saturday
Times staff report
Saturday’s health fair in Saratoga is part of an ongoing effort to bring low-cost health screening exams to area residents.
With more than 20 agencies, organizations and health professionals scheduled to have booths at the event, the fair should cater to adults and children alike. Those who had their blood drawn earlier this year can pick up their results. To help individuals interpret their results, Dr. Diane Noton of the Platte Valley Medical Clinic plans to make a Power Point presentation.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the great hall of the Platte Valley Community Center and is open to the public.
Those who attend can pick up free, magnetic cards that contain a patient’s name, important medical information, insurance policy and Social Security Number. When a patient is unable to give necessary information, the cards can aid emergency medical staff in delivering quick, effective care .
At the event, children can have a bone density scan or have the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office take their fingerprints.
Attendees can also hear presentations on the nutritional benefits of the Mona Vie Health Vitamin Drink or find out how to create a healthy diet from the University of Wyoming’s Carbon County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Division.
There should also be a demonstration of Reiki, a Japanese practice of healing the spirit, which in turn heals the body.
The American Cancer Association, Carbon County Counseling Center, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Platte Valley Helping Hands and the Saratoga—Encampment Ambulance Service are a sampling of other organizations that should be present.
Saturday’s health fair in Saratoga is part of an ongoing effort to bring low-cost health screening exams to area residents.
With more than 20 agencies, organizations and health professionals scheduled to have booths at the event, the fair should cater to adults and children alike. Those who had their blood drawn earlier this year can pick up their results. To help individuals interpret their results, Dr. Diane Noton of the Platte Valley Medical Clinic plans to make a Power Point presentation.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the great hall of the Platte Valley Community Center and is open to the public.
Those who attend can pick up free, magnetic cards that contain a patient’s name, important medical information, insurance policy and Social Security Number. When a patient is unable to give necessary information, the cards can aid emergency medical staff in delivering quick, effective care .
At the event, children can have a bone density scan or have the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office take their fingerprints.
Attendees can also hear presentations on the nutritional benefits of the Mona Vie Health Vitamin Drink or find out how to create a healthy diet from the University of Wyoming’s Carbon County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Division.
There should also be a demonstration of Reiki, a Japanese practice of healing the spirit, which in turn heals the body.
The American Cancer Association, Carbon County Counseling Center, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Platte Valley Helping Hands and the Saratoga—Encampment Ambulance Service are a sampling of other organizations that should be present.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tough Math
Front page
• School district’s recreation board sees funding requests soar.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Try getting this math problem to work: make more than $3 million equal to $1.3 million.
That is the task assigned to Carbon County School District 1 Recreation Board members.
Monday night saw the second half of 36 presentations by organizations requesting grants that originally totaled $3.1 million. According to board Chairman Jon Brown, that figure has been adjusted to about $2.8 million, but the requests still don’t fit into this year’s estimated budget of $1.3 million.
“We’ll be saying no’s or partial no’s to a lot of people,” Brown said. “(The requests) are taking us by storm.”
Many of the largest grant requests are for new or relatively new projects, such as $300,000 for a new beef barn at the Carbon County Fairgrounds in Rawlins. The Little Snake River Valley Community Center project originally hoped to get $750,000 from the board, but has since adjusted its request to $300,000. Rochelle Ranch Golf Course managers came before the board with a request for just above $500,000.
“If you take away these new projects,” Brown said, “then these requests would line up with previous years.” The 2007 budget was about the same as this year, but requests totaled just below $2 million.
Though there is no hard-and-fast criteria for selecting the board’s beneficiaries, Brown did outline some areas members look at closely.
“We look at their bang for the buck,” he said. “How many people do they affect?”
Also, projects that are consistently funded by the board are considered sooner.
An organization’s ability to do fundraising on it’s own is also important. The recreation board tries to encourage the understanding, particularly among kids that benefit, that nothing comes for free.
Groups doing bake sales or picking up trash for money are more favorably considered by the board. Likewise, adult organizations that can find companies to match grant money often have better chances.
Brown said grant applications need to be well defined. With so many cuts to be made, the board members want to know how the money will be spent. Successful grants often depend on whether board members get direct answers to their questions and clearly understand the organization’s intentions.
On May 12, the recreation board makes its final deliberations and announces its 2008-09 beneficiaries.
• School district’s recreation board sees funding requests soar.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Try getting this math problem to work: make more than $3 million equal to $1.3 million.
That is the task assigned to Carbon County School District 1 Recreation Board members.
Monday night saw the second half of 36 presentations by organizations requesting grants that originally totaled $3.1 million. According to board Chairman Jon Brown, that figure has been adjusted to about $2.8 million, but the requests still don’t fit into this year’s estimated budget of $1.3 million.
“We’ll be saying no’s or partial no’s to a lot of people,” Brown said. “(The requests) are taking us by storm.”
Many of the largest grant requests are for new or relatively new projects, such as $300,000 for a new beef barn at the Carbon County Fairgrounds in Rawlins. The Little Snake River Valley Community Center project originally hoped to get $750,000 from the board, but has since adjusted its request to $300,000. Rochelle Ranch Golf Course managers came before the board with a request for just above $500,000.
“If you take away these new projects,” Brown said, “then these requests would line up with previous years.” The 2007 budget was about the same as this year, but requests totaled just below $2 million.
Though there is no hard-and-fast criteria for selecting the board’s beneficiaries, Brown did outline some areas members look at closely.
“We look at their bang for the buck,” he said. “How many people do they affect?”
Also, projects that are consistently funded by the board are considered sooner.
An organization’s ability to do fundraising on it’s own is also important. The recreation board tries to encourage the understanding, particularly among kids that benefit, that nothing comes for free.
Groups doing bake sales or picking up trash for money are more favorably considered by the board. Likewise, adult organizations that can find companies to match grant money often have better chances.
Brown said grant applications need to be well defined. With so many cuts to be made, the board members want to know how the money will be spent. Successful grants often depend on whether board members get direct answers to their questions and clearly understand the organization’s intentions.
On May 12, the recreation board makes its final deliberations and announces its 2008-09 beneficiaries.
School lunch is all about balance
Rawlins Daily Times, Jerret RaffetyBy Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Making school lunches is a balance between what the kids want and what the kids need.
“I’d rather them eat something rather than eat nothing,” said Donna Taylor, Carbon County School District 1 lunch program director, who tries to incorporate decades-old U.S. Department of Agriculture food guidelines into a tight food budget.
In her 20th year of creating lunches for students, Taylor tries hard to make lunches that are suitable for them. In terms of keeping the kids healthy, she thinks she’s successful. Particularly when the kids would rather go to Taco John’s or McDonald’s than hit the cafeteria.
“The kids are fast-food prone around here,” she said.
Thus, the idea of serving Domino’s pizza three times a week was born, something that has received matching praise and criticism from students. Some think its the only edible thing on the menu, while others nearly gag when they think about their Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with the pies.
“I don’t think pizza falls under the healthy category,” said freshman Shannon Neal. If she and Justin Burgess could leave campus for lunch, they would. But unlike many of their peers, they would head home or to the grocery store.
With more than 1,000 kids to serve daily, Taylor faces a roadblock that her staff in Baggs can avoid. Taylor has to decide what will hold over several hours of lunches and in transit to the Sinclair Elementary School. On the other hand, LeAnn Adams at the Little Snake River Valley School can provide fresh, home-cooked meals to her crowd of around 100.
On pizza days, which are few and far between for the kids in Baggs, Adams admits she spoils the children.
“It’s homemade,” she said. “I avoid putting butter in the pans, I stay away from whole cheese and use real tomatoes.” To meet USDA guidelines for protein, she sometimes adds meats.
While Taylor often relies on state-subsidized products like chicken nuggets, patties and hamburger — all of which meet state health guidelines and are selected from taste tests — Adams tries her best to avoid simply popping frozen burritos into the oven for a quick serve.
Instead, she works throughout the morning to produce ham fried rice or chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles.
“It’s a lot of work for even just a small school,” she said.
Fitting it all into the budget is hard work as well. When the accounts payable for the district lists a payment of more than $5,000 to Domino’s, questions appear. Taylor says she counteracts the 50 cents per pizza slice with fruits and vegetables that cost two cents per serving.
Her goal is to keep the daily cost of food less than $2 per meal. But, she said, that’s getting difficult when, for instance, the cost of flour has nearly tripled since the beginning of the school year.
Taylor brings the students into the equation alongside the state guidelines. Last year, middle school students visited the kitchen with self-created menus. Taylor reviewed her budget and health restrictions before asking them to read their menus. She then helped them decide which of their menus was feasible.
“It’s usually part of the health program,” Taylor said. “(The visit) led to the salad bar and lowering the number of times we serve pizza at the middle school.”
Opinions vary
Of a sampling of Rawlins High School students, the majority can think of better foods to eat than what they get in the cafeteria.
“I wish we had more options,” said freshman Allen Jennings. “I eat it because I’m hungry.”
Most of the students who stick around for lunch at the high school agreed. Some freshmen, like Zack Nelson, wished for meals that better resembled home cooking.
While the reactions were mixed on whether pizza three times a week was acceptable, few reacted to the other options offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Except freshman Sabrina Homewood, who thinks School Lunch Program Director Donna Taylor’s hamburgers are “pretty good.”
Still, there is criticism. Freshman Justin Burgess thought the state guidelines should be updated. Upperclassman Sukhi Kaur wants there to be more variety and quantity. “The freshmen eat it all,” she said. “There’s nothing left by the time we get there.”
Taylor said her meals are healthy when students take advantage of all the options. “Some do and some don’t,” she said. “It’s their choice.” On Tuesday, one student illustrated her point when he wandered out of the cafeteria with a tray stocked with mashed potatoes drenched in hamburger gravy and two rolls.
Students and staff celebrate Earth Day
Rawlins Daily Times, Jerret Raffety• Middle-schoolers, teachers and CCHEC staff picked up trash in honor of Earth Day.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Through the light haze that spread its blanket across the city Tuesday morning, passersby could see the faint dots of people carrying large black sacks and moving through the empty acreage between Rawlins Middle School and U.S. Highway 287.
On Earth Day, the staff at the Carbon County Higher Education Center teamed with Rawlins Middle School sixth-graders to clean a stretch of Rawlins littered with, well, litter.
Divided into small platoons of a larger litter army, the kids scattered themselves throughout the trash-entwined, prickly bushes. Their project extended east from the school’s campus, stretched across the south end of the ball fields to Murray Street, and stopped just west of the highway.
“These gloves are going to be red by the time we’re done!” said sixth-grader Ashlee Hicks, who was enjoying the event with friend Tabitha Smith. They were wearing turquoise surgical gloves that kept getting snagged on the unforgiving branches.
Adorned in jeans and sweatshirts to celebrate the day, the higher education staff chatted amongst themselves and with the kids. Exclamations about the amount of McDonald’s paper goods and plastic grocery bags drifted through the air.
“It’s amazing how much people litter,” one student said to no one in particular.
CCHEC Director Dave Throgmorton answered him. “Sometimes they don’t mean to, you know. Sometimes the wind gets it and carries...” His voice drifted away with the breeze.
Simone Franklin and Amanda Meis, both students at Rawlins Middle School, were enjoying the time away from class. “We don’t have to do work,” they said. Soon, they would eat lunch and then go to a few afternoon classes, including choir, art, physical education and Spanish.
Nearer to the school was Stephanie Brandner’s first-hour language arts class. Each student carried a sack and looked like mini Santa Clauses from afar.
“They’re just like little recycling trolls,” Brandner said.
Design recommendations on tap
Times staff report
Construction should be at the forefront of discussions on Thursday at the Carbon County District 1 School Board meeting.
The meeting is open to the public and should be held at 6 p.m. in the board room of the District 1 central administration office on Rodeo Street.
Brad Oberg, planning consultant for the new Rawlins elementary school complex, should give a presentation outlining his design recommendations. Through a series of meetings with representatives from each department, Oberg has developed a list of prioritized needs for the school.
Tying into the school’s planning, the School Board should hear a presentation from Rick Vancleeve, a representative from Pine Cove Consulting, about the possible contract between the technology consulting firm and the district.
At the meeting, board members should also:
• Appoint a selection committee to choose the district’s construction manager for the elementary school project.
• Vote on awarding a contract to replace one of Rawlins High School’s gym boilers.
• Hear a presentation from the Little Snake River Valley School representatives about final concerns with the four-day school week possibility.
Construction should be at the forefront of discussions on Thursday at the Carbon County District 1 School Board meeting.
The meeting is open to the public and should be held at 6 p.m. in the board room of the District 1 central administration office on Rodeo Street.
Brad Oberg, planning consultant for the new Rawlins elementary school complex, should give a presentation outlining his design recommendations. Through a series of meetings with representatives from each department, Oberg has developed a list of prioritized needs for the school.
Tying into the school’s planning, the School Board should hear a presentation from Rick Vancleeve, a representative from Pine Cove Consulting, about the possible contract between the technology consulting firm and the district.
At the meeting, board members should also:
• Appoint a selection committee to choose the district’s construction manager for the elementary school project.
• Vote on awarding a contract to replace one of Rawlins High School’s gym boilers.
• Hear a presentation from the Little Snake River Valley School representatives about final concerns with the four-day school week possibility.
Monday, April 21, 2008
County has high potential
An front-page article that got picked up by the Laramie Boomerang. My first wire story!
• Study gives Carbon County high marks for renewable energy potential.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Carbon County’s renewable energy potential is among the best in the state, according to a report released by Colorado College.
The State of the Rockies Report Card, an annual student research project, publishes data from agencies like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. The report card issues grades according to each county’s renewable energy potential.
Along with eight other Wyoming counties, Carbon County received an “A” for its wind potential. Not far behind was its solar potential with an “A-minus.” Fremont County was the only county in Wyoming to get an “A” for solar power. Receiving a grade of “B-plus” for geothermal potential, Carbon County and five others charted just behind Campbell and Fremont counties.
Most of the Western states have focused on developing wind power, according to the report. Often, it is to the neglect of other renewable resources, such as solar power, the potential for which is greater in the West than some of the leading areas in solar energy development. But wind is the most cost effective for large-scale energy production.
“The solar in Wyoming is good,” said Elizabeth Kolbe, a Colorado College researcher, “but as far as putting in utility-scale arrays, it may not be the best choice. Wind turbines create more energy per unit than solar panels and are cheaper to build.”
Jeff Hymas, spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power, said one way to take advantage of the solar potential in high-scoring counties is for homeowners to invest.
Rocky Mountain Power offers a meter that measures the energy generated by a home with solar panels. If the panels produce more energy than the home uses, it goes back into the grid and the homeowner gets an energy bill credit. Those who invest in such a system can generally expect a 10- to 15-year return on their investment. The program also works for wind turbines.
Geothermal power is another story altogether. According to Kolbe, geothermal development is difficult because much of the land with the most potential is in public or protected areas.
Currently, Rocky Mountain Power operates just one geothermal plant in Utah. Hymas said it is financially risky to invest in a drilling project because there is no guarantee of what is underground.
The report pinpointed Wyoming as the state with the highest dependence on coal energy: 97 percent. Rocky Mountain Power, the company that provides the majority of Wyoming’s power, showed a figure of 65 percent.
Rocky Mountain Power hopes to reduce the presence of coal in its energy mix by 20 percent throughout the next five years, Hymas said.
Five of the eight states Kolbe studied have state-mandated goals for increasing renewable energy usage over time, known as renewable portfolio standards. Wyoming is one of the three states without such standards.
Kolbe attributed Wyoming’s lag in renewable progress to its extensive coal fields. Because the coal resources are some of the largest in the world and still a profitable resource, the incentive to move toward renewable energy isn’t strong.
“But Wyoming also has some of the best wind in the world,” she said. “So it might take awhile (to bring down coal usage), but a lot of it starts with government mandates and with people doing what they think is right for the environment.”
• Study gives Carbon County high marks for renewable energy potential.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Carbon County’s renewable energy potential is among the best in the state, according to a report released by Colorado College.
The State of the Rockies Report Card, an annual student research project, publishes data from agencies like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. The report card issues grades according to each county’s renewable energy potential.
Along with eight other Wyoming counties, Carbon County received an “A” for its wind potential. Not far behind was its solar potential with an “A-minus.” Fremont County was the only county in Wyoming to get an “A” for solar power. Receiving a grade of “B-plus” for geothermal potential, Carbon County and five others charted just behind Campbell and Fremont counties.
Most of the Western states have focused on developing wind power, according to the report. Often, it is to the neglect of other renewable resources, such as solar power, the potential for which is greater in the West than some of the leading areas in solar energy development. But wind is the most cost effective for large-scale energy production.
“The solar in Wyoming is good,” said Elizabeth Kolbe, a Colorado College researcher, “but as far as putting in utility-scale arrays, it may not be the best choice. Wind turbines create more energy per unit than solar panels and are cheaper to build.”
Jeff Hymas, spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power, said one way to take advantage of the solar potential in high-scoring counties is for homeowners to invest.
Rocky Mountain Power offers a meter that measures the energy generated by a home with solar panels. If the panels produce more energy than the home uses, it goes back into the grid and the homeowner gets an energy bill credit. Those who invest in such a system can generally expect a 10- to 15-year return on their investment. The program also works for wind turbines.
Geothermal power is another story altogether. According to Kolbe, geothermal development is difficult because much of the land with the most potential is in public or protected areas.
Currently, Rocky Mountain Power operates just one geothermal plant in Utah. Hymas said it is financially risky to invest in a drilling project because there is no guarantee of what is underground.
The report pinpointed Wyoming as the state with the highest dependence on coal energy: 97 percent. Rocky Mountain Power, the company that provides the majority of Wyoming’s power, showed a figure of 65 percent.
Rocky Mountain Power hopes to reduce the presence of coal in its energy mix by 20 percent throughout the next five years, Hymas said.
Five of the eight states Kolbe studied have state-mandated goals for increasing renewable energy usage over time, known as renewable portfolio standards. Wyoming is one of the three states without such standards.
Kolbe attributed Wyoming’s lag in renewable progress to its extensive coal fields. Because the coal resources are some of the largest in the world and still a profitable resource, the incentive to move toward renewable energy isn’t strong.
“But Wyoming also has some of the best wind in the world,” she said. “So it might take awhile (to bring down coal usage), but a lot of it starts with government mandates and with people doing what they think is right for the environment.”
Friday, April 18, 2008
Hospital board meets Tuesday
Times staff report
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County board members should meet with a physician recruiting agency on Tuesday in the hospital’s board room to discuss how to attract doctors to the area.
The meeting begins at 5:15 p.m. and is open to the public.
In the ongoing national shortage of both physicians and nurses, rural hospitals have a difficult time standing out. To bolster its hiring effort, hospital officials have decided to consult with a band of experts.
Merritt Hawkins & Associates should present options based on a review of the hospital’s programs and incentives.
Chairman of the Board Mike Reed said the company is versed in matching personalities with communities.
“If you can find someone who loves the small-community environment with fishing and snowmobiling, they’re a better match for this area than someone who grew up around skyscrapers and loves being around them,” he said.
Also at the meeting, board members should:
• Hear a report from Alysia Kampbell, coordinator of the health fair, on the results of this year’s event.
• Listen to an update on the energy-savings project from construction consultant Joe Jones.
• Evaluate the quarterly quality improvement report compiled from data reported to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County board members should meet with a physician recruiting agency on Tuesday in the hospital’s board room to discuss how to attract doctors to the area.
The meeting begins at 5:15 p.m. and is open to the public.
In the ongoing national shortage of both physicians and nurses, rural hospitals have a difficult time standing out. To bolster its hiring effort, hospital officials have decided to consult with a band of experts.
Merritt Hawkins & Associates should present options based on a review of the hospital’s programs and incentives.
Chairman of the Board Mike Reed said the company is versed in matching personalities with communities.
“If you can find someone who loves the small-community environment with fishing and snowmobiling, they’re a better match for this area than someone who grew up around skyscrapers and loves being around them,” he said.
Also at the meeting, board members should:
• Hear a report from Alysia Kampbell, coordinator of the health fair, on the results of this year’s event.
• Listen to an update on the energy-savings project from construction consultant Joe Jones.
• Evaluate the quarterly quality improvement report compiled from data reported to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Agriculture Expo Teaser
Rawlins Daily Times, Jerret RaffetyRoping's all about practice
Rawlins Daily Times, Jerret RaffetyBy Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The whip, snap and subsequent swish of the rope pulling tight startled the rowdy kids nearby.
Yancey Weber quickly stepped back, instinctively bracing himself against the roping dummy as though it might tug against its restraint.
“You stud!” called Cindy Cobb, Weber’s teacher at Little Snake River Valley School.
Weber’s been roping since he turned 4, getting the initial know-how from his father and learning the rest from watching others. The 10-year-old travels across the state to compete. His friend, Zach Peed, learned from ranching friends in Craig, Colo. He’s good at roping, he said, but can’t do any of Weber’s tricks yet.
The two boys stood out amongst the hundreds of fourth-graders who passed through Kurt Olson’s cattle roping demonstration at the Agriculture Expo, an event held Thursday at the Carbon County Fairgrounds designed to teach fourth-graders about agriculture.
According to Weber and Peed, roping doesn’t always come naturally.
“You can only get so far with a teacher,” Peed said. “Then you just have to practice and practice.” Also a skateboarder, he said learning to do roping tricks like the butterfly or the wedding ring was like figuring out how to do a kickflip or ollie on the board.
Is it hard to compete? Peed nodded quickly, but Weber was skeptical. Rather than go for the feet, a harder target, he prefers to pull the steer down by the neck.
USDA works to protect our food
• Thursday’s Agriculture Expo featured a presentation explaining how the USDA wards off predators.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Somewhere in Carbon County, a child’s father was bit by the bogeyman.
“I asked the kids how big of a trap they needed for that,” said Dan Braig with a chuckle. Braig represented the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Thursday’s Agriculture Expo held at the Carbon County Fairgrounds for area school children.
Emphasizing non-lethal methods of handling predators, Braig had a captive audience for each of his 15-minute slide-show presentations.
“We’ll put a propane cannon around places where birds are a nuisance to raising fish or contaminating grain, and every half hour, BANG!” he exclaimed, making kids jump from their seats. He grinned. “Just like that,” he said. According to Braig, it generally takes awhile to train the birds that they should make a new home.
After the presentation, students were allowed to look at pelts adorning the front table.
His hand sliding down the mottled wolf fur, Slater Kaisler of Little Snake River Valley School listed the animals he’d seen in the wild. Among them were badgers, beavers, muskrats, bobcats, coyotes and raccoons.
“I’ve also seen a skunk,” he said. “I shot it with a .22.”
When asked if they stink when they’re shot, he nodded. “Yeah,” he answered.
According to Braig, the presentation was designed to get the kids to think about where their food comes from and that it often needs protection. When the USDA gets a call about someone losing money because of animal trouble, officials try their best to use one of many non-lethal control methods.
Food is a powerful thing, though, and can lead the animals back time and time again.
“They’re just like men,” Braid said. “They take the path of least resistance too.” He said the USDA’s goal is to simply make life uncomfortable enough for the animals that they’ll find food elsewhere. If the animal continues to make trouble, they kill it.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Somewhere in Carbon County, a child’s father was bit by the bogeyman.
“I asked the kids how big of a trap they needed for that,” said Dan Braig with a chuckle. Braig represented the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Thursday’s Agriculture Expo held at the Carbon County Fairgrounds for area school children.
Emphasizing non-lethal methods of handling predators, Braig had a captive audience for each of his 15-minute slide-show presentations.
“We’ll put a propane cannon around places where birds are a nuisance to raising fish or contaminating grain, and every half hour, BANG!” he exclaimed, making kids jump from their seats. He grinned. “Just like that,” he said. According to Braig, it generally takes awhile to train the birds that they should make a new home.
After the presentation, students were allowed to look at pelts adorning the front table.
His hand sliding down the mottled wolf fur, Slater Kaisler of Little Snake River Valley School listed the animals he’d seen in the wild. Among them were badgers, beavers, muskrats, bobcats, coyotes and raccoons.
“I’ve also seen a skunk,” he said. “I shot it with a .22.”
When asked if they stink when they’re shot, he nodded. “Yeah,” he answered.
According to Braig, the presentation was designed to get the kids to think about where their food comes from and that it often needs protection. When the USDA gets a call about someone losing money because of animal trouble, officials try their best to use one of many non-lethal control methods.
Food is a powerful thing, though, and can lead the animals back time and time again.
“They’re just like men,” Braid said. “They take the path of least resistance too.” He said the USDA’s goal is to simply make life uncomfortable enough for the animals that they’ll find food elsewhere. If the animal continues to make trouble, they kill it.
Post-surgery care eyed at hospital
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s contract has been renewed for another three-year evaluation by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Called the 9th Scope of Work, the period should focus on reducing complications after surgery. It is part of a two-decade-old effort to ensure taxpayers and beneficiaries receive quality care through Medicare and Medicaid.
The hospital was chosen because, statistically speaking, it shows room for improvement, according to Mike Sierberg, public information officer for the Denver office of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Hospitals were selected based on the likelihood of antibiotics being started and discontinued within an allotted amount of time. Low scores on these often mean low scores on other measures, he said.
“This doesn’t mean that Memorial Hospital is doing poorly,” Sierberg said. “It’s possible that they scored low on these measures for Wyoming, but fit into a higher percentile nationwide. We still have to pick some from each state.”
The Rawlins hospital was selected along with Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Evanston Regional Hospital and Powell Valley Hospital.
Hospital Quality Director Tracy Peterson said she doesn’t know why the facility was chosen, since, according to her data, it measures up to other area hospitals. However, she said, the hospital is participating because the project can help it improve.
Based on feedback from care providers, including nurses, surgeons and a nurse anesthesiologist, the administration should be able to prioritize the 16 areas of improvement identified by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Mountain Pacific Quality Health, a quality-improvement organization contracted with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, is assisting the project. With an office in Cheyenne, the consulting organization should be able to provide advice for improvement.
Since Mountain Pacific is responsible for hospitals throughout Wyoming as well as Hawaii, Alaska and Montana, Peterson sees it as a good source of information.
“We can share information,” she said. “They can make suggestions of what works. Another hospital may have come up with a really good idea and we can adopt it.”
Times staff writer
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s contract has been renewed for another three-year evaluation by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Called the 9th Scope of Work, the period should focus on reducing complications after surgery. It is part of a two-decade-old effort to ensure taxpayers and beneficiaries receive quality care through Medicare and Medicaid.
The hospital was chosen because, statistically speaking, it shows room for improvement, according to Mike Sierberg, public information officer for the Denver office of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Hospitals were selected based on the likelihood of antibiotics being started and discontinued within an allotted amount of time. Low scores on these often mean low scores on other measures, he said.
“This doesn’t mean that Memorial Hospital is doing poorly,” Sierberg said. “It’s possible that they scored low on these measures for Wyoming, but fit into a higher percentile nationwide. We still have to pick some from each state.”
The Rawlins hospital was selected along with Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Evanston Regional Hospital and Powell Valley Hospital.
Hospital Quality Director Tracy Peterson said she doesn’t know why the facility was chosen, since, according to her data, it measures up to other area hospitals. However, she said, the hospital is participating because the project can help it improve.
Based on feedback from care providers, including nurses, surgeons and a nurse anesthesiologist, the administration should be able to prioritize the 16 areas of improvement identified by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Mountain Pacific Quality Health, a quality-improvement organization contracted with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, is assisting the project. With an office in Cheyenne, the consulting organization should be able to provide advice for improvement.
Since Mountain Pacific is responsible for hospitals throughout Wyoming as well as Hawaii, Alaska and Montana, Peterson sees it as a good source of information.
“We can share information,” she said. “They can make suggestions of what works. Another hospital may have come up with a really good idea and we can adopt it.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
