GRMC approves new ER physician group

Graham Regional Medical Center approved a contract with Team Health naming them as the hospital’s next emergency room physician group, as long as they agree to contingencies the board wants added into the contract.

The hospital board of directors meet in a special called meeting Friday, June 28, with members Doctor Donald Behr, Barrie Strickland, Jon Garvey and Sylvia Overton present. Not present were chairperson Wyatt Pettus, Suzy Graham and Terry Bishop.

The need for a special called meeting was necessary after CEO Shane Kernell announced current ER physician group Titanium had given 90 days notice ending the agreement on Aug. 31 at the June 18 board meeting.

Kernell spent the time between the two meeting to negotiate with Team Health and Concord on terms of a new contract.

“Given our low volume which is typical of a rural hospital, it means that we have to subsidize whoever we go with because their billings alone will not be enough to cover their costs,” Kernell said.

Team Health and their doctor, Lawrence Hum, cover all Texas Health Resources hospitals in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and presented three different options to the board.

For the rest of the story, see the Wednesday, July 3 edition of The Graham Leader.