Clinic makeover begins

Work is set to soon begin on a refurbishment of Hulett Hometown Clinic, the newly renamed facility belonging to Crook County Medical Services District.

After it became clear that the district would not be leaving the building to occupy the Red Bluffs Clinic built by the Crook County Medical Foundation, the board of trustees decided it was time for a facelift on a facility that has served the district for almost four decades.

CEO Micki Lyons told the board last week that she met with provider Bob Cummings and LPN Wilma Phillips to discuss the upgrades that should be addressed, having been authorized by the board in early December to spend up to $100,000 to improve the facility in whatever ways are most needed.

Lyons told the board that the outcome of this meeting was a list of projects that will be completed at a minimum, including replacing the flooring and new lights.

"We're definitely going to paint and then we're looking at replacing the cabinets and the countertops," she said, adding that the procedure table also needs to be reupholstered.

The board added a few of their own thoughts to the project, including a request from trustees Mark Erickson and Trish Habeck that as much be done locally as possible. Lyons confirmed that this is already a priority and said the district has already checked the hardware store to see what can be purchased there and will likely source any lumber from the sawmill and look to utilize local skills such as a cabinet maker.

"It's kind of in the planning stages, but we're working on it," concluded Lyons.

During her report to the board, Lyons also noted that all three CCMSD clinics are staying "busy and steady," including 180 patient visits to the Hulett Clinic in November.