The meeting was opened by President Eddie Robinson. Skey Caskey gave the invocation by leading the Club in the Lord’s Prayer. Lyman Whitehead offered health and happiness. Most notably, Lynn Richards told us that it was her birthday. President Eddie informed the club that Lynn Campbell’s wife was undergoing surgery and asked that we keep them in our prayers. Ginny Barr gave us instructions about the meeting on 12/10 at DJJ. They have a new Visitors Center , which changes where we will meet and the procedures involved in entering the facility. Emilie Keene reminded us of the Christmas Party on 12/15 and said she would email directions to the site. President Eddie announced that Kevin Adams received a promotion and would be moving his Rotary membership to Lexington. Best of luck to Kevin. President Eddie and Ginny Barr inducted a new member, Irmo Police Chief Bryan Buck. Victories in the previous Saturday’s football games brought in many happy dollars from fans of Georgia Tech, NC State and Clemson.
Carey Hite introduced our speaker, John Singerling. John is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Palmetto Health Richland. He has been with Palmetto Health since 1996 and became executive vice president and chief operating officer for Palmetto Health Richland on January 1, 2006. He previously was vice president of operations for Palmetto Health Richland. Prior to that, he worked as corporate director of planning and system development and assistant to the president and CEO for Palmetto Health. Singerling earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a master's degree in Health Administration from the University of South Carolina. John recognized Judy Smith, Corporate Communications at Palmetto Health, who accompanied him to the meeting. He noted that a number of the Club’s members work at or are affiliated with Palmetto Health.
John told us that Palmetto Health is South Carolina's largest and most comprehensive not-for-profit health resource. Palmetto Health is composed of three outstanding hospitals—Palmetto Health Richland, and Palmetto Health Baptist in Columbia and Easley. The 1,247-bed system is a JCAHO accredited institution with more than 9,000 employees and 1,200 physicians.
Each year, the three hospitals treat more than a half million patients, welcome more than 7,200 babies into the world, treat more than 82,000 pediatric patients and 3,000 cancer patients, accommodate more than 142,000 emergency department visits, perform nearly 50,000 mammograms, and make nearly 38,000 home care visits. They provide all services except they are not a burn center and do not perform transplants.
Two years ago, Chuck Beaman was promoted to President and CEO of Palmetto Health. Under his leadership a new 3 year plan was developed to improve service. Top performing employees in the system drafted Standards of Behavior and each employee must sign this document or be terminated. A Leadership Institute was also launched and approximately 1,000 employees have attended over the past two years. Since enactment of these measures, Palmetto Health has seen a marked increase in its quality ranking, significant improvement in employee morale and increased results for patients. They recently received an award as one of the best places to work from Modern Healthcare Magazine. The Children’s Hospital has finally opened after 20 years and the State granted them authority to build a 76-bed hospital in Irmo, Parkridge Hospital; however, Lexington and Newberry are challenging that decision. The challenge will be addressed early in 2009. John offered many statistics to substantiate the improvement at Palmetto Health over the past couple of years and to show the significant growth in their business.
Blount Sheperd announced that the Club would have its final road-clean-up of the year on 12/13. Meet at Blount’s business in Ballentine at 8 AM for coffee, donuts and a surprise. In conclusion, Jim Wellman asked that everyone complete the survey that was email to the Club regarding future projects.
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