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Published: Monday, October 1, 2007

Forum Health seeks grants for Northside

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Forum provides nearly $25 million annually in charity and uncompensated care.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Forum Health wants $7 million in state grants to help finance maintenance and upgrades at Northside Medical Center.

Forum officials said both are needed for the hospital to remain competitive and continue meeting the health care needs of the community.

Forum Health is applying for the grant money to "support the work of Northside and its efforts to survive in a difficult economic environment," Dr. Keith T. Ghezzi said in the Sept. 26 edition of the Forum Flash. Forum did not reveal from which state agencies it wants money.

The Forum Flash is an employee newsletter published by the hospital system.

However, acknowledged Dr. Ghezzi, interim president and chief executive officer, getting grant money will be difficult.

"State funding is typically granted only to those hospitals affiliated with universities," he said.

Forum said it provides nearly $25 million annually in charity and uncompensated care, as well as extensive community health outreach, education and screening programs.

"We believe that Ohio has a great opportunity to maintain health services for the needy through support of community hospitals that serve as a safety net ... and preserve access to medical care for those who depend upon the hospital's ability to survive and thrive," he said.

Upgrades

Additionally, Forum wants help in paying for the maintenance, renovations and technology upgrades that Northside requires.

This includes the modernization of patient care units to provide private, monitored rooms, and access to new imaging and diagnostic equipment, Dr. Ghezzi said.

"We are seeking help from whatever entities that can give it to us. We are trying to get our government to have more of a role in the process," a company spokeswoman said.

While Forum has all of its facilities up for sale, and this summer closed one, Tod Children's Hospital, and sold another, Beeghly Medical Park, to Akron Children's Hospital, it says it is nonetheless moving forward with plans for the improvements at Northside.

Among the proposed projects are:

Expand and upgrade the emergency department in 2008.

Buy a 64-slice CT imaging machine.

Add 30 beds for Geriatric Behavioral Medicine services.

Complete a two-phase makeover, which includes renovation of 60 rooms by 2009.

Dental clinic relocation

Also planned for Northside is the relocation of its dental clinic from a separate facility on Gypsy to the Medical Education Building, where seven chairs will be available. A $50,000 grant from Anthem Blue Cross will finance the move, Dr. Ghezzi said.

In a posting on its Web site, Forum encouraged readers to help secure the funding by participating in a letter-writing campaign aimed at local and state elected officials.

State Rep. Robert F. Hagan, D-60th, of Youngstown, said legislators look at all requests for funding. However, he said before he would look favorably at its request, Forum would have to make a case that it will protect the community by continuing to provide health care services and jobs at Northside.

State Sen. John Boccieri, D-33rd, of New Middletown, said he and others are working with Atty. General Marc Dann relative to the sale of Forum Health.

"I just don't know if we are in a position to ask for money when we don't know what the future is of Northside," Boccieri said.

alcorn@vindy.com

Monday, October 1, 2007