Words of hope from RMCCA community meeting

BY BRUCE BRANUM

The Greenville Standard

 

This past Thursday afternoon, Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama, held a large community meeting to allow the public the opportunity to meet the Frey Medical Management (FMM) team and listen as they shared their thoughts and vision for the hospital.

Held in the Wendell Mitchell Conference Center at the LBW Greenville Campus, the event began with a meet and greet from 4-5 p.m. and followed with the members of the Frey team speaking to attendees from 5-6 p.m.

RMCCA CEO Pat Trammell spoke first. He began by referring to James 1 versus 2,3 from the Bible saying, “Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith builds perseverance. We’ve had our faith tested some and we persevered through some things and we have faced a lot of trials. And, it’s not just us, healthcare is important in our communities. It’s a heck of hard business and I tell people all the time, don’t get into it if you don’t love it.”

He continued stating the staff and those associated with the hospital over the years absolutely love it.

Closing out his remarks, he said, “We have a plan and we have an opportunity to do some amazing things here in a way we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”

Trammell then introduced Dr. Charles Tompkins who is Chief of Staff at Crenshaw Community Hospital (CCH).

Tompkins was invited to speak by Michael Frey on behalf the success that has occurred at CCH since

FFM assumed management last summer.

In his remarks, Tompkins noted that CCH was once in a similar situation to RMCCA, not knowing if the doors were going to open next week.

He also relayed his passion as an advocate for rural healthcare and through his experience with Michael and Natalie Frey, he found it was there passion too.

He noted observing when they got there (to CCH), “They rolled up their sleeves and they went to work…they put such work into it and did it for the right reasons.”

Tompkins then spoke about the Frey’s greatest strength is forging relationships, saying, “They are masters at that and they will be here too.”

He then said after the Frey’s went to work, things started getting better. “I can say this..it’s been decades since I could tell you that there is more money coming in our hospital than there is going out,” he added.

Tompkins then closed his remarks stating it was going to take everybody in the community to make things work for RMCCA.

Michael Frey then spoke and stated he was speaking to be honest and talk about the vision of the future of this county and counties surrounding.

“I do want to make this very clear, what I would ask everybody within this community to understand patience is a virtue, especially when you’re talking about rebuilding something as important as the hospital because the hospital is the nucleus from which the community can grow,” he said.

After more remarks, he stated, “I want to tell you that the City of Greenville did absolutely what was necessary to keep these doors open to even give us the opportunity to stand here and talk to you, to give us the opportunity to come in and try to fix this hospital. There are a lot of broken parts.  I’m never gonna lie to you; I’m going to be as honest as I can be. This hospital has a long way to go but we have the right team in place; we’d have the right plan in place; we have the right people that are out talking and trying to spread the word. Our objective at the end of the day is to unite this community. You have good leadership here.”

Later Frey noted it takes focus and strategy and teaching people how to save their own hospital.

He added that networks and strategic alliances are vitally important for the survival.

Continuing, he spoke of having OB services including delivery, mental health, infusion clinics, cancer treatments, dialysis treatments and addiction services.

“I stand before you tonight is to start a new chapter in healthcare in south-central Alabama and beyond,” he said.

Frey did not leave Georgiana out the question saying to the crowd, “We are coming.”

For now, RMCCA will retain its name and FMM will also manage Stabler Clinic.