Covenant Hospital Plainview - Hale County Hospital Authority

Current Projects

Long Term Improvements & Capital Equipment

Facilitating requested projects & equipment in order to improve the delivery of healthcare at Covenant Hospital Plainview.

Medical Support

Assisting Covenant Hospital Plainview in recruitment & retention of medical personnel.

Public Relations & Recruitment

Promoting Covenant Hospital Plainview to the community & prospective medical personnel as well as future businesses wanting to locate in Plainview.

Building & Grounds

Maintaining the facilities in top shape.

Foundation Financing

Providing funding for projects through grants & other means.

Board Members

Kevin Igo, President	Brent Hamilton, Vice-President	Dr. Bryan Peeler, Secretary
Brian Pohlmeier, Treasurer	Danny Glenn	Rubye Henderson
Sue Lewellen	Doris McDonald	Daniel Rascon
Gordon Russell	Jeff Tunnell

History

In 1964, the Texas Legislature created the Hale County Hospital Authority for the purpose of operating a medical care facility in Hale County. That facility was known as Central Plains Regional Hospital and was located at 2601 Dimmitt Road. The Hale County Commissioners Court appoints the members of the Hale County Hospital Authority Board (“Authority Board”). The Authority cannot levy ad valorem taxes and has never collected any ad valorem taxes.

In 1983, the hospital was in serious financial trouble; however, the Hale County Hospital Authority was able to lease the hospital facility and ultimately recovered to a strong financial position.

In 1995, the Authority Board (composed of John C. Anderson, Rollie Hyde, Max Gabriel, Bill Cagle, Ridley Gibson, Lester W. James, Jr., Paul D. Johnson, James Thomas, Mark R. Warren, David Wilder and Ruth Rector-Wright) decided to renovate and make additions to the hospital facility. That project was known as “Project 2020”. A Construction Sub-Committee (composed of Max Gabriel, Paul D. Johnson and Mark R. Warren) was appointed and given a budget of $11,500,000.00.

More than half of the budget was spent on equipment and repairs not readily visible to the public, such as the fire alarm system, in-house sprinkler system, time clock system, voice paging system, med gas system, voice box paging system, re-keying all locks, heating and cooling system including new boiler and chiller, replacement and repairs to the electrical and plumbing systems, a new roof, asbestos abatement, a new laboratory, and a new pharmacy. More obvious to the public are the interior and exterior refinishes, new furniture and decorative accessories, new doctors’ lounge, new landscaping and exterior sprinkler system, as well as close to a $100,000,000 in new and/or refurbished medical equipment. Also, the Boardroom, the Max Gabriel Conference Room and Conference Room B were redecorated.

Some of the profit centers for the hospital: a new Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, new emergency room, labor and delivery, recovery and postnatal care rooms, remodeled nursery, new C-Section operating room, new specialty clinic in the John C. Anderson Professional Building, new radiology area including new equipment, expanded occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, and cardiac rehab areas.

The goal of Project 2020 was to bring better health care to the citizens of Hale County, as well as emphasize profit centers for the hospital. The project was completed under budget and on time without any tax dollars.

The primary responsibilities of the Hale County Hospital Authority are:

To be fiscally responsible in its actions,

To assure the best possible healthcare for our residents.

Upon completion of Project 2020, the immediate plans identified by the Authority Board were:

To work with Methodist Hospital, Plainview, Texas to upgrade existing facilities and if necessary build new facilities to insure quality health care,

To work with Methodist Hospital, Plainview, Texas to recruit additional physicians,

To provide leadership in any way possible to its two primary responsibilities.

Since the completion of Project 2020 in 1998, the Hale County Hospital Authority has continued its efforts to assure that quality health care is available to the citizens of Hale County and the surrounding area.