Hospital seeks more shareholders
Shortly after assuming her new job as public relations director at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Mary Zupancich made a startling discovery.Conversations with many community remembers revealed that a large number of people - most under the age of 50 - didn’t realize that the hospital was community-based and owned by member shareholders.“A lot of people think Ely-Bloomenson and the clinic are together (as one entity),” Zupancich said last week.Zupancich and hospital officials are out to change that public perception, and at the same time they hope to raise operating capital and develop a new generation of community hospital investors.Over the weekend, EBCH launched a one-month drive aimed at bringing new shareholders on board.For a $100 contribution, the same amount required when the hospital opened nearly 50 years ago, individuals or businesses will acquire a share of the hospital and a say in hospital business through the election of board members.Until Oct. 10, Thrivent Insurance will contribute $25 for each $100 raised by EBCH, and hospital representatives have planned a number of initiatives to boost the shareholder roster, now estimated at about 460.EBCH had a booth at last weekend’s Harvest Moon Festival. Advertisements through local media are planned, and Zupancich will coordinate a walking campaign, during which she and others will solicit local businesses.According to hospital administrator John Fossum, it’s time to reach out to a new generation of hospital investors. He estimated that about two-thirds of those currently owning shares are over age 65.“In the same way you go to the polls and vote for your elected officials, you need to become a shareholder of the hospital and know what’s going on here,” said Fossum.The Ely hospital was started in part by $100 contributions from community members, when the facility opened in 1957.“Think about 1957 and how much $100 was worth then, that showed a real commitment by the community,” said Zupancich. “And now it’s still $100 a share.”With 241 employees, EBCH is the area’s largest employer.The hospital has 25 beds and served 9,171 patients, including outpatients, in 2003. The adjacent nursing home has 79 beds.EBCH provides 24-hour emergency care and provides an array of medical services, including cardiac rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and dietary and nutritional counseling.Laboratory and radiology services are available on-site, and EBCH provides surgical service as well. Outreach service includes urology, endoscopy and ophthalmology.“The hospital won’t be everything to everyone,” said campaign supporter and former EBCH board member Roger Laine. “It never will. You need to pick and choose procedures for the age groups we have here, and they’ve done a great job of doing that.”Hospital department head Mike Pechek said EBCH needs to raise additional revenue to stay competitive and provide the services that the community demands.EBCH leaders say a viable, financially healthy hospital is vital to community development.“This is a very good hospital,” said Zupancich. “And if you’re going to grow your community, you need to have a hospital.”Quality medical service contributes to Ely’s quality of life, supporters say, and that maintaining medical services is important to attract and retain people of all age groups.Those interested in obtaining a share may call Zupancich at 365-8739.EBCH has attracted about 20-25 new shareholders annually in recent years, but Fossum hopes the campaign boosts those numbers.“We need to have the next generation of shareholders,” he said. “We’re where we are today because some foresighted people in the past bought shares, became members and made the hospital what it is today.”EBCH is now governed by an eight-member board led by president Geri Koschak.
