×

DCHS revises trustee nominations

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Dickinson County Healthcare System Board has nominated Dan Wender of Breitung Township to fill a trustee position after Richard Berlinski decided not to seek reappointment.

Wender, a nephew of County Board Chairman Henry Wender, is among four nominees to be considered for confirmation by the county board, which will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Dan Wender is a past member of the county board and Breitung Township Board. The hospital board did not see his relationship to Henry Wender as a conflict in recommending the appointment, hospital board Chairman Bill Edberg said.

The hospital board met Friday to revise its list of nominees in light of Berlinski’s decision, and to adjust the status of the DCHS pension plan before year’s end.

Two current trustees will be nominated for reappointment — David Holmes for four years and Dale Ward for one year. Ward, who formerly was nominated for a full term, now will be up for the remainder of the term of Brock Wallis, who recently resigned.

The fourth nominee is Kim Van Osdol, a bank executive from Loretto, selected earlier for the one-year vacancy but now nominated for a full term.

Hospital board appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the county board. The trustees receive per diem compensation for meeting attendance.

Other members of the nine-member hospital board are Edberg, Jeffrey Campbell, Sally Blom, Margaret Minerick and David Brisson.

In consultation with the county, the hospital board will name a three-person pension board to assist in DCHS retirement plan management decisions.

Plan assets soon may be returned to more aggressive investments after taking a conservative path this year while DCHS explored potential sales to Bellin Health and U.P. Health System, both of which fell through.

Earnings now are guaranteed at 2 percent, which officials noted was fortunate in light of the recent stock market downturn. Typically, however, pension plan investments are targeted for a return in the range of 7.5 percent.

The board also met in a closed session to hear an update from Venable LLP attorney Bart Stupak, who is leading a DCHS financial restructuring.

Stupak had sought a $7.5 million line of credit backed by the county, but it appears that request is on hold as other options are explored.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 26, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today