Rural Health Care Board to Split Medical Director Duties

The Johnson County Rural Health Care District Board has approved an agreement that will split the current medical director’s duties and contract into two separate contracts with different directors for Buffalo and Kaycee.

At their March meeting Monday, the board discussed the current contract with Dr. Mark Schueler, who is paid a stipend of $1,000 per month for his services in both Buffalo and Kaycee.

During recent discussions, Dr. Schueler said he was not comfortable with proposed changes in the Kaycee Ambulance Service, as explained by Board Chair Marilyn Connolly.

The proposed agreement will have Dr. Schueler act as the medical director for Buffalo EMS and Dr. Luke Goddard as the medical director for Kaycee Ambulance.

The $1,000 per month stipend would be split and pay each $500 per month.

A question was raised by Administrator Karri White on whether or not discussions by the board should have been conducted in executive session or in an open public meeting, and the board will discuss the issue with County Deputy Attorney Barry Crago and revisit the issue at next month’s meeting.

The board voted to approve the new agreement, and will draft paperwork in preparation of signing by the two directors and implementing them for their new fiscal year that begins in July.