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Unity Medical Center converts to non-profit hospital status
Unity Medical Center filed final paperwork with the Tennessee Secretary of State to convert from a for profit to a non-profit hospital.
The Internal Revenue Service approved the hospital’s request last December. The transition from a for profit, physician-owned hospital to a non-profit hospital means that Unity will be able to expand its services at the hospital and physician clinics in order to keep up with advances in medical technology and to meet the evolving medical needs of the growing community.
“This is a great day for Unity Medical Center and for the future of healthcare in the Manchester area,” stated Martha McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital. “This transition opens the door for us to take advantage of opportunities to bring more quality healthcare services to our community.”
Unity Medical Center, the result of the merger between United Regional Medical Center and Medical Center of Manchester, was classified as a physician-owned hospital since doctors owned a portion of the parent company. The Affordable Care Act (often called Obamacare) prevented starting new physician-owned hospitals and placed significant restrictions on existing physician-owned hospitals when implemented in 2010.
“When the Affordable Care Act was enacted it prevented existing physician-owned hospitals from adding new services,” explained Bappa Mukherji, Chairman of the Board of Unity Medical Center. “Since 2010, and since the 2015 merger of the hospitals, we have not been able to add new services regardless of the medical need for them in our service area. While this restriction had some basis in urban areas, the law was simply written too broadly and adversely affected rural hospitals like Unity.”
Mukherji continued, “For example, the Act was passed before the onslaught of the opioid epidemic. Since we had outpatient clinics in 2010, we were able to add outpatient opioid addiction treatment services in 2016 and now actively treat over 650 patients in one of the largest treatment clinics in Tennessee, but we were not allowed to add desperately needed inpatient medical detox and are sending patients all over the state right now.”
New services that Unity plans to implement soon are inpatient medical detox and opening an intensive care unit (ICU). Another service that could soon follow is the use of telemedicine through a partnership with Tristar Centennial that will allow for patients at Unity Medical Center to be examined remotely with the use of a robot by specialists at other hospitals.
“We have a four-bed ICU unit that was not in active use in 2010 so we have not been allowed to reopen it. Reopening the unit will enable us to take care of more acute patients in Manchester, closer to their homes and families,” said Mukherji.
In addition to adding new services, Unity will be eligible for more grants as a non-profit.
“We will qualify for additional grants, specifically to recruit physicians, and we will also be eligible for some student loan-forgiveness programs for workers moving to rural healthcare settings,” said McCormick.
The decision to convert to a non-profit was approved by both the shareholders and the Board of Directors of the hospital at two separate meetings in early July.
“When the ownership group understood the plan and the advantages it brought to the hospital and community, they voted unanimously to give up their ownership. Similarly, the board unanimously voted for the plan and to give up their board seats. Everybody put the good of the hospital above their own.”
A committee was formed to appoint a new board of directors of community representatives.
“Unity no longer has individual owners, it is a 501(c)(3) public charity.”
The transition will have no disruption of daily operations at the hospital. The management team will remain in place and employees should expect no interruption in hospital operations, pay or benefits.
“This was a strategic move to strengthen our hospital, our business and our ability to
provide the best quality healthcare to our rural community,” said McCormick. “We are excited about the possibilities this opens up to us at Unity Medical Center.”
Unity Medical Center is a 49-bed acute care hospital located at 481 Interstate Drive in Manchester that operates two rural health clinics employing over 40 medical providers. The hospital can be reached by phone at 931-728-6354.
Manchester Police Dept. warns of new phone scam in area
Manchester Police Department officials have a telephone scam to tell you about. According to MPD, multiple residents in the area have reported receiving calls that advise the recipient that their social security number has been used fraudulently.
The intended victim is then advised that their current social security number is being suspended, until a new one can be made available. Personal information is being requested by the caller in an attempt to resolve the fabricated situation.
Manchester Police urge you not to provide personal information to any caller over the phone. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact Manchester Police at 931-728-2099.
Shelbyville police to have citizen police academy
The Shelbyville Police Department will have a citizens’ police academy. If you’ve wondered about the day-to-day actions of police, this is a good opportunity for you. This is a seven-week academy, and along with activities each member of the Citizens Police Academy will be allowed to ride along with an officer on regular duty and get to observe first hand traffic stops, answering calls for service and many other unique situations that officers deal with. On one weekend, participants will go the department’s firing range. To apply and see more details, click here.
WEEK ONE
During the first week, participants will receive a welcome and introduction from Chief Austin Swing. Lt Trey Clanton will follow with the State of Tennessee requirements that all perspective police officers must comply with before attending the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and what to expect while attending the academy. Major Jan Phillips usually leads into the organization of the Shelbyville Police Department and the police role in the community. The last segment will be a tour of the Bedford County Correctional Facility, compliments of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department.
WEEK TWO
During the second week of the program, members are introduced to the Judicial System of Bedford County by Assistant District Attorney Richard Colley of the 17th Judicial District of Tennessee. The 17th Judicial District includes Bedford. Moore, Marshall, and Lincoln Counties. Lt. Jason Williams talks about traffic stops and shows some actual footage of traffic stops and pursuits that have been conducted by the Police Department.
WEEK THREE
During the third week, things start jumping. Lt Mike Baker, Lt. Trey Clanton, instruct on the police departments procedures for conducting traffic stops while Patrolman Mike Davis demonstrates how radar is utilized for traffic stops.
After the traffic stop instruction is completed the class will be taken outdoors. We then go to a predetermined location, where the hands on instruction on the use of radar equipment will be performed. During this same time, pre-planned traffic stops will be conducted where the class members will actually conduct high risk, felony traffic stops, to help learn the hazards of police work.
WEEK FOUR
In week four of the course, members of the Criminal Investigations Division talk about crime scenes and their role investigating these crime scenes. Lt. Pat Mathis along with Sgt. Brian Crews and Detective Charles Merlo talk about the procedures they follow while investigating certain crimes. Sgt Bill Logue also talks about the importance of evidence collection and demonstrates procedures for the collection of evidence. They are also introduced in methods for obtaining and collecting fingerprints at a crime scene.
After this members will participate in the investigation of a mock crime scene put together by the Criminal Investigations Division. They will be able to determine what happened at the scene and will gather the evidence from the scene
WEEK FIVE
Week five starts out with a briefing on traffic crash investigations by Lt. Trey Clanton. K-9 Officer Tracey Nelson and K-9 “Remy” are also on scene to talk about drug enforcement and the K-9’s role in finding illegal narcotics.
After the briefing the class is taken outside to a predetermined location and is given a mock traffic accident to investigate. Afterwards K-9 Officer Nelson and partner “Remy” give a live demonstration of how they are able to find narcotics in vehicles during traffic stops.
WEEK 6
During week six the class is introduced to the Bedford County Communication Center. They are taken on a tour of the center by the Director Cathey Mathis. Cathey demonstrated how 911 calls are received and then directed to each department and also answered any questions they had about the 911 system.
After the tour of the Communication Center, they are brought back to the Police department where Detective Charles Merlo talks about the investigation of Domestic Violence situations and its impact on families. Detective Merlo talks about the department’s procedures for answering these types of calls and the domestic violence law. If time permits the class may actually get to participate in a mock domestic situation set up by members of the police department.
WEEK SEVEN
In the final week of the Citizen’s Police Academy a dinner is provided by the Department. Chief Swing, Deputy Chief Mike Rogers, Major Jan Phillips and Lt. Trey Clanton conduct a question and answer session about the Police Academy and then Chief Swing presents each member of the class a certificate and sweatshirt.
Manchester Recreation Center has after school bike club, children’s program
The Manchester Recreation Department has a couple of after school programs to let your kids know about. First is the “Mud, Sweat and Gears” mountain bike club. This is after school from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays and is designed for grades 5-8. Participants are provided bicycles and take group rides at different areas. The program starts on August 20th.
Also starting is the Children’s After School Program. This is a very expansive program for grades k-8 and is from 3:05 to 6 p.m. every school day. The cost of this program is $40 per child and the activities include sports, indoor and outdoor games, group activities, swimming on Friday’s, the teaching kitchen, homework help and snacks will be provided. The rec center even offers pickup from city schools – College Street Elementary, Westwood Elementary and Westwood Middle School to transport to the rec center. County school students are also eligible to enroll, but no pickup is available from those schools. For more information about either of these programs, call the rec center at 931-728-0273.
Severe weather possible Tuesday afternoon
All of Middle Tennessee, including the Coffee County area, is under a slight risk of severe weather for Tuesday afternoon.
According to NWS, a cold front will approach later in the day Tuesday, bringing with it the potential for severe weather. Strong winds and heavy downpours are the primary concern.
Heat is also a concern Tuesday, with high temperatures in the mid 90s and heat index values approaching and crossing the 100-degree threshold. There is a heat advisory in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 7 p.m.
Storms are not expected to develop until the afternoon and evening hours.
You can sign up for severe weather text alerts from thunder radio by clicking here. This is a free service, but carrier message and data rates may apply.
Coffee County’s Jennifer Hunt featured in state “Tennessee Faces of Opioid Crisis” awareness campaign
Manchester, Tenn. – Coffee County resident Jennifer Hunt is featured in the Tennessee Department of Health’s “Tennessee Faces of the Opioid Crisis“ public education and awareness campaign. This project will include people from every county of Tennessee sharing personal stories of how they have been impacted by the opioid crisis. The campaign also provides resources and information on how everyone can be part of the solution to this problem.
“My younger brother became addicted to opioids when he was a teenager after having open heart surgery. At the age of 35, he was arrested for a drug-related charge and spent several months in prison. He was released on a Thursday and within 48 hours died from an opioid-related overdose. After so much personal impact from the opioid epidemic, I decided to pursue a strategy to combat the opioid crisis in my county. Together with a colleague, I developed a reentry program for females in the Coffee County Jail that fouses on healthy adaptation in the often-stressful post release peroid, with a primary purpose of reducing opioid-related overdoses. The program is titled HOPE and stands for Healthy Outcomes Post Release Education.” (READ MORE OF JENNIFER’S STORY BY CLICKING HERE)
The goal of the “Tennessee Faces of the Opioid Crisis“ campaign is to show how the opioid epidemic is having an impact on people in every community and county in our state, and that by working together Tennesseans can make a change to overcome this crisis.
“We want people to understand this isn’t just someone else’s problem. Sixteen people in Coffee County died of drug overdose in 2017. This crisis is hurting our community, our families, neighbors, friends and coworkers,“ said Coffee County Health Director Debbie Dickey. “We want to help people learn about local resources they can use to be part of the solution. It can be as simple as knowing where to take unused or expired medication for proper disposal.“
Resources available in Coffee County include safe drug drop-off sites at the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, the Manchester Police Department and the Tullahoma City Police Department.
“Tennessee Faces of the Opioid Crisis“ is a project funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more at www.TNFacesofOpioids.com.
Coffee Co. Schools to hold substitute teacher orientation
Coffee County Schools will have a substitute orientation for those interested in becoming a substitute teacher for the system. Non certified teachers earn $60 a day and certified earn $75 per day to substitute. Orientation is Friday, August 30 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee County Board of Education at 1343 McArthur Street. You must apply first to attend orientation – you can apply by clicking here. If you have questions, call Stephanie Langham at 931-723-5150.
State approves $3 million to invest in rural initiatives
To help strengthen and expand workforce development
programs in Tennessee’s rural counties, the Tennessee Workforce
Development Board recently approved a $3 million investment to support
Governor Bill Lee’s rural initiatives.
The Rural Initiative Funding Opportunity Announcement (RIFOA) will
make monies available to local workforce development boards over the
next three years.
“Our hope is this investment will help to ensure workers in our rural
counties have the opportunity and resources to enhance their economic
circumstances through education and skill development,” said Deniece
Thomas, Deputy Commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Labor and
Workforce Development (TDLWD).
Tennessee’s distressed, at-risk, and rural counties face workforce
challenges that do not exist in the state’s urban and metropolitan
areas.
Often, local leaders in rural counties are forced to navigate
workforce obstacles such as geography, demography and high demand for
employees, but a low supply of a qualified workforce.
The goal of the RIFOA is to increase workforce funding in local
workforce development areas that contain distressed and at-risk
counties. New programs will create greater opportunity for residents
in these counties to take part in skills training in high-demand
growth sectors. These programs will also include work-based models
such as on-the-job training.
“Members of the State Workforce Development Board come from every
corner of Tennessee,” said board chairman Tim Berry. “They know
firsthand the workforce development needs in the rural areas many of
them call home. This additional funding will have a high impact on the
communities that receive it.”
Expanded workforce development opportunities will originate from
American Job Centers in selected counties to allow for easier access
to programs and services.
Money for the RIFOA will come from the Governor’s reserve of Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA) funds. TDLWD will provide additional
program guidance to the local workforce development boards deemed
eligible to receive this funding
Coffee County Schools’ Student Support Services Department Receives Walmart Foundation Gran
Coffee County Schools’ Student Support Services Department has been awarded a $2,000 Wal-Mart Foundation Grant, which will be used to focus on our homeless student population. “This funding will be used to focus on ensuring the needs of our homeless population are met,” said Connie Sekulich, School Social Worker for Coffee County Schools.
Coffee County Schools is grateful for the continued partnership with Walmart and their support to our students and schools.
Pictured Left to right, Pebbles Martin, General Manager of Walmart of Manchester and Connie Sekulich, School Social Worker for Coffee County Schools.
Tennessee commemorates ratification of women’s suffrage
NASHVILLE – Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Tennessee State Museum, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives will mark the 99th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which ushered in women’s right to vote, with events August 16-17.
Votes for Women: Commemorating Women’s Suffrage will provide living history programs and hands-on activities for people of all ages, focusing on the right to vote and the women’s suffrage movement in Tennessee. Activities will take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the park and the museum.
Historians will be at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall depicting different stories relating to the women’s suffrage movement. The free event will provide living history programs and hands-on activities for people of all ages.
After Congress passed the 19th Amendment in June 1919, it was sent to the states for ratification. Three-fourths of state legislatures needed to ratify the amendment for it to be adopted nationwide. On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to ratify the amendment. The vote concluded a century-long, hard-fought women’s suffrage movement.
Tennessee became known as the “Perfect 36” and is often acknowledged for securing the final passage. The Tennessee State Parks Run Club will host the Perfect 3.6 Race for Ratification, beginning at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park at 7 a.m. on Saturday, August 17. The event will include a one-mile course and a 3.6-mile course for participants of all skill levels and ages. Packet pickup will be 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, August 16. More information on the race can be found here.