Q&A with the Chief of Staff, Johns Community Hospital
By Suzanne Haberman
Friday, 12 March 2010
Dr. Koshy Varghese, Chief of Staff, Johns Community Hospital
- Education: Medical school: SCB Medical College, Cuttack, India; residency: Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.; fellowship: Emory University, Atlanta
- Work background: Thirteen years outpatient, emergency and geriatric medicine
- Date hired: August 2005
- Contact: 352-7811
- What makes Johns Community Hospital unique?
- There is no other facility in about a [wide] radius. We have a huge population, not only Taylor, but the surrounding cities, and we cater to them as a hospital. We mean a lot to most of the people who live in the farmlands. If they had to travel farther for immediate medical care, it would be tough on them. The strategic location is important.
- What changes have you seen at the hospital since you started?
- Since I started, the hospital has cut down on many services because of budgeting. Most of the clinical services we had before are still here. But many of the ancillary services are less available. The number of hours and people are decreased to cut the cost. We are still able to cater to the demand we have now. If we have more business, we’ll be able to hire more and provide more hours for different services.
- What is the hospital’s greatest challenge?
- Monetary challenge is the main challenge. We are going through some changes to adjust to the present healthcare environment [concerning] funding, the changing coverage and loss of insurance for people who used to have insurance. Ultimately, the hospital takes the brunt. Everybody who used to be covered quit having coverage or lost their insurance. They are our patients after all, and we have to take care of them. It’s true for every place, but for a small hospital, it takes a lot of effort to get through this.
- What misconception does the community have about your hospital?
- One misconception is people think many services that are available in other places are not available here, which is not true. Many of the things can be done here that people are not aware of, and they go to other facilities. It’s not only true for the public, but the EMS and physician communities all have the same perception.
- In what area or areas of medicine does Johns Community Hospital specialize?
- Internal medicine, family practice, general surgery and pediatrics. We have specialty and services in cardiology, urology, oncology, dermatology, orthopedics, podiatry and gynecology.
- What is something people don’t know about the hospital?
- We have physical therapy services, both inpatient and outpatient. We have a skilled nursing designation, under which we can admit patients in the hospital and give therapy, recovery or medicine. Some of the hospitals around here know about us, so they send us patients. But if patients knew, they would request to be here after surgeries [at other hospitals], such as a knee or hip replacement. They can recoup here in the skilled nursing facility.
