Rotary Log for February 2, 2017

Rotary Log for February 2, 2017

By Everett Eaton

Photos by Jim Rini

Right on time, the meeting opened at 12:15.

Judy Ringer led us in song (boy can she sing…).

Ramona Dow led us in the Four Way Test and John Rice gave the invocation.

There were almost too many visitors to remember; Dean Karamucchi, Jay Levy, Bridgit Oversen, Maddy Lauren, Brian Bernier, Stu Levenson and Dr. Mark Davis. Apologies for any misspellings or for anyone that may have been missed.

President James presented a Rotary flag from his visit at the Dhanbad, India club.

Karen Kindle and Stephen Zadravic were put on seven day notice as potential new members.

Ramona Dow of the Basic Needs committee reminded us all that the Peanut Butter Drive continues for 1 more week. Bring in your Skippy!

Bill Hurley (3), Dave Underhill ( 8 !), Cleo Villaflores and Leonard Seagren (4) all received Paul Harris Fellows.

Lindsey Hery won the 50/50 raffle taking home $62 righteous bucks. The match carries over until next week.

Jeffrey Hughes, VP and Chief Strategy Officer of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital was our speaker for the day.

Jeff has 30 years’ hospital experience and is a graduate of Yale and Boston University.

WDH is a community, not-for-profit Hospital. Their specialty services include Women's and Children's services where they see growth despite flat birth rates. They also have a comprehensive cancer center.

They are also investing in behavioral services given the opioid addiction crisis.

WDH is one of the largest Seacoast employers with 2,300 employees. They are a recognized as a Magnet hospital, a designation given to the top 6% of all hospitals nationally. They provide free service for those within 250% of the poverty level.

They are also financially sound with an A Rating from Standard and Poor’s, the best in NH.

Part of their future is the partnership with Mass General Hospital of which they are now a subsidiary. MGH and Brigham and Woman's are part of the Partners Health Care System.

Joining MGH gives them several advantages including scale, expanded cancer services and to be a regional leader in clinical trials. They will expand their Gynecology-Oncology services as well.

Additionally, they have opened a primary care office at Pease as they are seeing more Portsmouth patients.

Jeff also spoke briefly of Obamacare which has resulted in 50,000 more NH people being insured. This has resulted in higher hospital profits but no decrease in prices.

Submitted by Everett Eaton