Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Hospital explores walking trail

Roosevelt General Hospital Board members gave Cardiac Rehab Manager Bill Rice, RN, approval to seek outside funding for the implementation of a walking trail that would benefit not only the hospital but the community.

“There seems to be a good opportunity to improve the grounds around the hospital,” said Rice.

According to Rice, Portales does not offer many places for community members to walk or where they feel safe walking. The walking trail would provide that safety plus the benefits that come from exercising, such as strengthening the heart and lowering blood pressure. Not only would the program benefit heart patients, other patients, staff and community members would have access to the trail, said Rice.

“It would show to RGH that they care about their employees and the community as a whole,” said Rice.

Funding for the walking trail could come from grants and donations from the community, said Rice. The idea would be to put in a 1-1/4 mile track that would primarily be located on the south (emergency room) side of the hospital. Plans are to put in lighting, benches, trees and to xeri-scape along the route, said Rice.

“I’ve had a lot of problems the past two years and if not for walking, I would not be here,” said Nell Hardin, a cardiac rehab patient who was in attendance to show her support for the project.

“I don’t have a problem with it, said Boyd Evans, RGH board chairman. In fact, it sounds like a great idea.”

In other business:

• The finance office reported a profit of $28,000 for the month.

• A check for gross receipts was received for $83,623.

• Two physicians have asked for one-year leave of absences to pursue other areas of interest in the medical field.

• Several physicians have requested and were approved for credentialling with the hospital.

• A contract has been signed with the New Mexico Department of Health to provide $125,000 to RGH to use in implementing a Level 4 trauma plan which will cover equipment and training for trauma personnel.

• Final plans for the new MRI will be sent to the state for approval.