What's New             

CRMC PARADE FLOAT TAKES FIRST PLACE
One of a record 61 parade entries, Colusa Regional Medical Center’s float named, “Every Patient Is A Star,” stole the show and was awarded first place in the float division. Read more.

INTERNAL MEDICINE AND COLUSA HEALTH CLINIC GRAND OPENING
A grand opening and Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting was held May 26 to celebrate the new Internal Medicine and Colusa Health Clinic on the CRMC campus at 151 E. Webster Street.

In the photo at right, Dale Kirby, CRMC CEO, greets Colusa Mayor Donna Critchfield, County Supervisor Denise Carter, and CRMC board member Marilyn Davison.  The event was well attended and everyone enjoyed watercolor paintings by local artist Vic Kronberg, which were featured throughout the clinic.

New patients are now being accepted.  For an appointment with Dr. Greg Burt, Internal Medicine, call 530-458-3800.  For the Colusa Health Clinic call 530-458-5003.

CRMC'S FISCAL YEAR ENDS WITH STRONG FINANCIAL AND CLINICAL PERFORMANCE
CRMC's fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, showing positive financial results as well as excellent clinical performance, according to Dale Kirby, Chief Executive Officer.  "I am very pleased to report that CRMC experienced strong bottom line financial performance for the fiscal year 2009-2010.  Clinically, I'm very proud of what our team has achieved toward our mission of providing excellence in patient care.  Although the year will be remembered as one of the most challenging and tumultuous we've experienced, our entire organization, from the Board of Directors on down, stepped up to turn in a great performance," Kirby reported.

CRMC was rocked in early 2009 by the unexpected decision by UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento to close their long running primary care clinic in Colusa.  CRMC quickly recovered by recruiting a group of internists who assumed care for many of the estimated 2,000 patients left without a medical home.  Community feedback on the new service has been outstanding.

The downturn in our state's economy has also been felt here locally.  CRMC experienced a decrease in patient volume and procedures in some in-hospital service departments, coupled with an increase in bad debt and charity care.  However, CRMC's outpatient departments experienced nice increases in visits and procedure volume.  "CRMC's rural health clinics located in Arbuckle, Colusa, Stonyford and Williams showed good growth from prior year.  CRMC's Physical Rehabilitation Service experienced significant growth from prior year," stated Kirby.  "In looking back over the year, I'm gratified that we were able to overcome the significant challenges to our business, and I am exceptionally proud of the care, compassion, and quality of service we provided to the citizens of Colusa County."

SERVICE CLUBS DONATE CRASH CART
Two Colusa County service clubs collaborated to purchase a new emergency "crash" cart for the medical/surgical nursing unit of Colusa Regional Medical Center.  The cart holds a cardiac defibrillator, oxygen, monitor, drugs and other items necessary in an emergency.

Representing the Lion’s Club and Knights of Columbus are: (L-R) Larry Yeghoian, Bob Woodring, Chad Woodring and Jeff Moresco.  CRMC staff members are: (L-R) Katherine Mincey, CNA, Sophia Bingham, RN, Kathy Hughes, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, and Shirley Barnett, RN, Medical/Surgical Unit Manager.

VETERANS DONATE KUDDLES
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2441 and Davison Drugs made another of their semi-annual donations of dozens of stuffed animals for the "Kuddles for Kids" program.  Rhonda Anderson, Radiology Manager and Kuddles program coordinator, said the stuffed toys are given to children and occasionally seniors to help calm fears during medical procedures or while in the hospital.

 

KIRBY NAMED CHAIRMAN OF HOSPITAL COUNCIL
Dale Kirby, Chief Executive Officer of CRMC, has been named the 2010 Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California.  In his new leadership role, Kirby will lead the Board of Directors in helping its members to provide high quality health care and the improvement of the health status of the communities they serve.

The Hospital Council of Northern and Central California is a nonprofit hospital and health system trade association established in 1961, representing 190 hospitals in 50 of California’s 58 counties—from Kern County to the Oregon border. The Hospital Council’s membership includes hospitals and health systems ranging from small, rural hospitals to large, urban medical centers representing more than 38,000 licensed beds.

GOLFERS MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The CRMC Foundation will host its 19th annual "Swing For Life" Golf Tournament and Fundraiser at the Colusa Golf & Country Club on Friday, September 24, 2010.  Registration starts at 10 am, with a shot-gun start at 11 am.  A full complement of teams and sponsors is expected so get your team and sponsorship requests in early by contacting Dierdre Athenais at 530-458-5821, ext. 233.  Last year's proceeds of over $16,000 were used for the recruitment of physician specialists.  See you there!

CRMC WELCOMES NEW PHYSICIANS AND CLINIC SERVICES
The following physicians have joined the Colusa Regional Medical Center medical staff and are now accepting new patients.  Welcome!

Gregory W. Burt, MD -- Internal Medicine
Dr. Greg Burt joins the CRMC medical staff as a board certified internist. He attended undergraduate school at the University of California at Davis and medical school at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.  He completed his residency training in internal medicine at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center.  Dr. Burt is now accepting new patients in his practice at 151 E. Webster Street, Colusa.  Call 530-458-3800 for an appointment.

Leon Schimmel, MD -- Gynecology
Dr. Schimmel is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist.  He will practice Gynecology and Women's Health exclusively here in Colusa.  Dr. Schimmel attended undergraduate and medical school at the University of Iowa.  He completed his OB/GYN residency training at the Medical College of Virginia.  Dr. Schimmel is accepting new patients in his practice at 151 E. Webster Street, Colusa.  For an appointment call 530-458-3243.

Venu Kondle, MD -- Nephrology & Hospitalist
Dr. Kondle is double board certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology.  He currently provides inpatient hospitalist support and nephrology consultations.  Dr. Kondle completed his medical education in India with fellowships in internal medicine and nephrology at the University of Missouri and Oregon Health Sciences University.  For a consultation please call 530-458-3243.

Antonio "Tony" Meraz, MD -- Family Practice w/Obstetrics
Dr. Meraz joins the CRMC medical staff and practice of North Valley Family Physicians.  He is board certified in Family Practice with Obstetrics privileges.  Dr. Meraz completed his residency training in family practice and obstetrics at Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, California.  His practice is located at 173 E. Webster Street, Colusa.  Call 530-458-8050 for an appointment. 

Robert Polhemus, MD -- Nephrology & Hospitalist
Dr. Polhemus joins the medical staff as a double board certified Internal Medicine and Nephrology specialist.  He completed his clinical and research fellowship in nephrology at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.  He currently provides inpatient hospitalist support and nephrology consultations.  For a consultation please call 530-458-3243.

QUALITY AND SAFETY OF CARE COMMITMENT:
Colusa Regional Medical Center is committed to providing the highest quality of patient care possible in a safe, comfortable and reassuring environment.  To communicate a service problem or concern please contact the manager of the service involved (see "Hospital Directory" under the "Contact Us" tab above), or you may contact our administration office at (530) 458-5821, ext. 254.  In addition, you may contact The Joint Commission by telephone at 1-800-994-6610, or by email at "complaint@jointcommission.org."