Kalkaska Memorial Health Center provides 12:1 return on investment
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center plans to mail its 2014 Community Benefit Report to county residents this month.
Hospital Administrator and CEO Kevin Rogols said county taxpayers will find the report details a substantial return on their investment in quality local health care.
“As governmental hospital authority, owned by the townships of Kalkaska County and the Village of Kalkaska, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center is supported by county residents’ tax dollars,” Rogols said. “This report highlights how tax dollars are being spent, and all the ways that taxpayers’ investment in the hospital pays dividends to the people of this county.”
The taxpayer millage provides $1.17 million to support the hospital. In return, the hospital offers the county a more than $14 million annual return when considering its economic impact, free community services, in-kind donations, and more.
Among the hospital’s community outreach efforts in fiscal year 2014 were free health care screenings for more than 400 people, a Kid’s Health Fair, and free flu shots and TB tests for the Kalkaska County Sheriff’s Department. There were in-kind donations of $100,877 for more than 40 regularly scheduled groups who use the William W. Kitti Education Center at no cost, as well as for the Teen Health Corners in Kalkaska and Forest Area Community Schools.
The report details how the hospital acts as an economic engine for the area through its $9.9 million in wages and benefits for its employees who live in the county. The hospital, which employs 366, also has invested in workforce development through scholarships to high school seniors, as well as tuition reimbursement and loans to employees to further their education and promote employee retention.
“Improving the program over many years has been a benefit to our hospital and the community,” said Kim Babcock, administrative director of operations at the hospital. “It is now ingrained in our culture.”
Top quality diagnostic equipment means people can stay close to home for diagnostic services and treatments. There were 204,922 outpatient visits, tests and treatments performed at the hospital in FY 2014. Rogols said the hospital also provided $2.5 million in free, unpaid, and subsidized services.
“We continue to be successful thanks to all who use the services at the hospital. We thank everyone for their interest and support,” Rogols said. “With highly skilled clinical and support staff, beautifully designed facilities, advanced technology, and numerous services, this facility is well positioned for the future.”
To view a copy of Kalkaska Memorial Health Center’s 2014 Community Benefit Report, go to munsonhealthcare.org/kmhc/communitybenefit.