Jasper Hospital District Approves Pollinator Garden, Addresses Staffing and Billing Concerns

Photos and Video by Rita Shipp

Several members of the Jasper Hospital District Board were present for the meeting, with Vice-President Rodney Norsworthy Sr. appearing to preside in place of President Ron McMurry.

The Jasper Hospital District Board met Tuesday, May 20, for their regular monthly meeting, where members discussed ongoing staff shortages, electronic health record (EHR) upgrades, billing delays, and patient care logistics — while also approving a community-focused pollinator garden to be built outside the Children’s Clinic.

Pollinator Garden Approved for Clinic Grounds

The board unanimously approved the use of hospital district land for a new pollinator and sensory garden, proposed by Ann Davis, a Master Gardener and member of the Longleaf Ridge Texas Master Naturalists.

The garden will feature native plants, butterfly habitats, sensory activities for children, and educational signage. The project is part of a grant proposal to H-E-B for $4,000 in funding, with construction to begin this fall if awarded.

“We’re not buying the land, just decorating the front of your clinic beautifully,” Davis told board members. “It’s for the kids and the community.”

The board also agreed to support the effort by providing benches, a water spigot, and potential utilities for a water feature or fountain.

“We’re building something beautiful — not just for the kids at the clinic, but for the entire community,” said Davis. “It’s designed to engage all the senses and also educate people on the importance of pollinators for our food systems and local ecology.”

The project is part of a $4,000 grant application to H-E-B, in partnership with the Texas Master Naturalists and Jasper Master Gardeners. If awarded in August, the garden will begin construction in early September.

In addition to approving use of the land, the board agreed to provide a water spigot, benches, and potentially a water fountain, and expressed willingness to consider funding additional amenities.

Ann Davis presents a proposal to the Jasper Hospital District Board for a pollinator and sensory garden to be placed near the Children’s Clinic.

Clinic Sees Growth Despite Staffing Gaps

Clinic leaders reported strong patient demand, with daily calls from new patients and growing service usage, including labs, BioTe services, and DOT physicals.

However, the clinic is operating with limited staff. One nurse remains out due to a family medical emergency, and others are scheduled for time off. A new employee began this week to help with clinical duties, and temporary coverage remains in place to support operations during the staffing gap.

Dr. Richard Pham, a provider at the clinic, emphasized the need for more experienced nursing support to help manage the workload and improve efficiency.

“Right now, I’m helping my nurses when it really should be the other way around,” Dr. Pham noted.

Dr. Richard Pham addresses the Jasper Hospital District Board regarding current clinic operations and staffing challenges.

Credentialing and Insurance Challenges Continue

Staff shared that traditional Medicare (Part B) has been approved, but full credentialing with other major carriers — including Humana, United Healthcare, and Tricare — remains ongoing. Communication lapses and delays at the insurance and hospital level have slowed the process.

Hospital Record Integration Falls Short

A major frustration shared at the meeting was the lack of integration between the clinic’s Athena software and Christus Hospitals' new CareLink platform, which is built on Epic.

Despite attempts to coordinate, staff at Christus have been unable to provide clear guidance on the new system. Lab results and imaging from the hospital must now be manually scanned and uploaded by clinic staff — creating a significant burden.

Praxis Transition Set for July 1

The clinic is preparing for a full transition to the Praxis EHR platform, with a projected go-live date of July 1. The new system is expected to improve documentation, coding accuracy, and billing efficiency.

Though the clinic currently relies on a mix of manual processes, providers are optimistic that Praxis will streamline workflows and reduce administrative strain.

Power Outages Disrupt Technology

Temporary power outages have caused computers to crash before backup generators kick in. While generators are installed, they take roughly 90 seconds to activate — long enough to interrupt operations.

The clinic currently lacks uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) at workstations. The board is considering adding backup battery systems to reduce disruptions during brief outages.

Continuity of Care Maintained

Patients previously under Nina Martindale, FNP have successfully transitioned to Terri Cheeley, PA-C, who is providing extended appointment time to ensure a smooth handoff.

Terri is scheduled to be out intermittently over the next two weeks but will remain available for acute visits on select days. The clinic will remain open, with administrative staff and limited clinical coverage in place.

Billing Delays Continue, But Progress Made

The board reviewed billing summaries showing continued delays in receiving payments from insurance carriers. Manual charting and coding challenges have contributed to the backlog.

Staff noted that the transition to Praxis should help streamline billing and improve claim accuracy over time.

Board Moves to Executive Session

At the close of the public meeting, the board entered executive session to discuss internal financial and personnel matters.

Looking Ahead

Between community-facing projects like the pollinator garden, continued patient growth, and the July 1 transition to Praxis, the Jasper Hospital District is navigating a time of development and change — with a renewed focus on infrastructure, care continuity, and community involvement.

A new clinic administrator is expected to begin next month, aligning with the district’s new fiscal year.