Dr. Jonathan Weisul on Community Medical Center
Jim Clark announced that the dictionaries are in, but the labels have not yet arrived. Stay tuned!
Susan Hay Cramer shared that she has talked several times with Cynthia Bryan, who sends thanks to all for the flowers, cards, thoughts and prayers. Cynthia appreciates all the good wishes.
Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick had no guests to introduce this week, but he did share the story (and some photos) of two neighbors in England who didn't get along. Seems Gregory (the "pierced partier") and Frank (the old curmudgeon next door) had their issues, but unfortunately for Gregory he wasn't aware that Frank had been a prize-winning boxer back in the day. Gregory learned the hard way. David also shared that he had taught his daughter Abby the way to keep someone from eating half your cookie-lick it. Ah, the lessons we impart! And, there was brief mention of Marshall having had dinner at Rusty's, but no one would share any details.
Greg Johnson updated us on the Who's Who Revue. He thanked everyone for all the hard work in planning this year's event (remember, it is October 23rd). Greg shared the list of the performers-including many Sunrise Rotarians and the Hooters girls. This promises to be quite an event-and tickets have been reduced to $50 and $25. Get yours today-just follow the link on the club website.
David Bardwick shared that he has a young friend in Billings who has been ill and is having his thyroid removed. He needs to be isolated for a week following surgery/treatment, and needs a place to stay away from his family. If you have an apartment or cabin or something in the area (or even a distance away-David would transport him) and could offer it, please let David know.
Carl Prinzing provided the Rotary Minute, explaining about the new Rotary zones (member; club; district; zone) in the US. Montana is now part of Zone 27, the largest region in the United States. Carl said the push is on to keep the Rotary headquarters in the US (Chicago). Carl also shared that we are about halfway to meeting the Gates Challenge for Polio Plus, with $93 million committed!
COOKIES: Those receiving cookies this week from Susan Cramer: Hugh Jesse, Gene Sterbis and Adele Gibbs for upcoming birthdays; Donielle Engebretson for her two-year anniversary as a Sunrise Rotarian; and Bill St. John because he was having a bad day and already spilled on his shirt.
We then inducted two new members, Jed Dennison and Lisa Holcomb. Welcome to both Jed and Lisa! And, congratulations to Mary Windecker and Ramey Kodadek on earning their blue badges!
Mary Windecker then introduced our speaker, Dr. Jonathan Weisul. Dr. Weisul is Chief Medical Officer at Community Medical Center (CMC). Dr. Weisul joined CMC in February 2009.
Dr. Weisul first shared that CMC was founded in 1910 by two physician brothers and moved to the current campus in 1972. CMC is a comprehensive community hospital with 12 practice areas. CMC serves all of Western Montana. Specialties include women's services, for which a new center will be built. Dr. Weisul said that 1,600 babies are born each year at CMC and that miracles happen in the NICU. Dr. Weisul said that CMC recently opened a breast health center and reminded all that October is breast cancer awareness month.
Dr. Weisul said that rehabilitation services is a large part of CMC, and in fact 12 of the 14 brain injury specialists in Montana are at CMC. Oncology services is new to CMC, and is done in partnership with Montana Cancer Specialists.
Community Physician Group has 42 medical providers in 13 locations. The providers are employees of CMC, which allows them to focus on medicine and not on the "business side."
Dr. Weisul explained that CMC is a non-profit with 1200 employees (900 full time equivalents) with $200 million in yearly gross revenue and $51 million in employee salaries. He said CMC benefits the community to $18 million a year, and is the biggest economic engine in Missoula. Dr. Weisul said that future success relies on a balance of collaboration and competition.
Dr. Weisul said two things keep him up at night: healthcare reform and the H1N1 influenza virus. With healthcare reform he sees more insured and less money to provide the services-more demand and less money. Dr. Weisul is concerned about H1N1 because it is very dangerous to children and pregnant women. He said as soon as the vaccination is available they will be given first to pregnant women. He is concerned that the loss of work hours due to H1N1 will be very large. He said the vaccination is safe and will not make you sick.
Dr. Weisul also answered several audience questions before concluding that he believes that with research being done, "we will save the world."
Following this informative presentation, Susan Cramer thanked Dr. Weisul and told him we'd be donating a dictionary in his name. We then closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four Way Test and a reminder from Susan that the future of Rotary is in our hands.