RHSHC Board welcomes two trustees
Wed, 08/31/2022 - 11:57am
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By:
Marcie Klomp ~ News Editor tpdeditor@crescotimes.com
CRESCO - At the July 10 Regional Health Services of Howard County Board of Trustees meeting, two new trustees were welcomed to the board — Chuck Malek and Darlene Vsetecka.
The new members had volunteered to step up after Treasurer Allen Moudry passed away unexpectedly on May 26, 2022 and Chairman George Willis passed away from cancer on June 12, 2022.
John Wacha, who had been vice-chairman for almost 12 years, stepped into the chairman’s seat. The board is there to oversee the financials of the hospital for the taxpayers.
Wacha said, “George had been board chairman for almost 12 years and Allen was just shy of 18 years. That’s 30 years of knowledge.”
He added that he and Willis worked together. “He kept me in the loop ”
The new trustees have a lot to offer in their new roles on the board.
Vsetecka has served on the Hospital Foundation Board for several years. She has been a nurse for over 40, so is very familiar with the health care system. “I started my career at RHSHC in 1980.” She has worked at Mayo Clinic in various positions and was director of nurses at the Decorah clinic.
“I am currently working for a UK-based company as clinical director of innovation for a medical software company called HealthHero. I value having local availability for health care, and I think my experience would assist me in being an excellent hospital board member. I work well with others to find consensus for difficult issues when required.”
The second trustee is the owner of Malek Builders Inc., a five-generation business in Cresco.
“I am currently serving as a director on the CUSB Bank Board, where I have gained great knowledge in financial matters.” He is also a member of Cresco Industrial Development Corp., currently serving as vice-president. In addition, Malek belongs to Howard County Business & Tourism, Howard County Board of Review and First Lutheran Church Council.
He was elected as a Howard County supervisor, is a real estate broker and previously served on the RHSHC board.
“I feel I can be an asset to the board with my building, business, finance, county government and previous RHS board experiences.”
Wacha is happy with the two new trustees. “Chuck was on the board before. His business knowledge is an asset. Darlene has been in the medical field her entire career. It is good to have a board that is well-versed. When combined, it makes for a good working board.”
The chairman explained the board also has two new doctors at the hospital, in addition to a major remodeling project for the clinic. “Most of the board went through the hospital remodel, so that’s good.”
CEO Robin Schluter said, “RHSHC has been blessed with great talent in its Board of Trustees, and we welcome these new individuals to continue this tradition.”
The legislature has changed the number of years a board member serves. It used to be six years, now it is four. That means there are five of seven seats open for election in November. They include Wacha, Malek, Don Recker, Jay Johnston and Mike Mahr.
Vsetecka and Bootie Kapler’s terms will expire in January 2025.