Steve Patonai
Interim CEO at Lake Chelan Community Hospital
New Interim CEO introduced at Hospital Board meeting
by Richard Uhlhorn
Steve Patonai, Lake Chelan Community Hospital’s new interim CEO was introduced to a standing room only board room at the Hospital’s Tuesday, March 20, commission meeting.
Outgoing CEO, Kevin Abel told the commission and audience that Patonai had been on board for two days. “I’ve been showing Steve around and introducing him.”
“This is an exciting time for Chelan,” said Patonai. “I’ve been meeting the staff and they are gung ho and great people.” Patonai stated that he and his wife purchased property in Chelan six to seven years ago with the idea of eventually moving the valley and building a home.
He has worked at hospitals in Auburn, Washington, Florida and most recently in Houston where he came from a week and half ago. When he saw Abel’s announcement, he threw his hat into the ring.
Mary Signorelli said a lot of research went into finding a new CEO for the hospital. “We had a number of qualified candidates, but we ended up offering Steve a contract. He was interviewed by the entire board and has started while Kevin is still here.”
Mary Signorelli
Hospital Commission Chair
Abel said he is getting Steve up to speed over the next several weeks. Commissioner Phyllis Gleasman remarked that there were a number of qualified people interviewed.
After the introductions, Kevin Abel introduced Jim Nelson to update the commission on the General Obligation Bond progress.
Hospital Administrator Kevin Abel introduced Jim Nelson to the board for a short update on the Hospital’s quest for a USDA loan for the new hospital.
The voters in the Hospital District approved a $20 million dollar bond issue in August, 2017. The District is obligated for another $22.5 million dollars which will come from a USDA fund. “We should have preliminary approval soon,” said Nelson.
He told the commission that the bond obligation is still coming in below the Hospital’s 38 cents. “It looks like 33 cents (on the dollar) for 26 year financing,” said Nelson. “Hopefully the bond market will stabilize.”
Moving the schedule forward, Nelson said it was necessary to update the bond resolution that the board voted on last year that is needed for the USDA. He expects that the new rates will be fixed by June 27 and the money approved and in the bank by July 17 or July 25, but no later than August 9.
Abel and staff have met with the USDA and the environmental write-off is coming. “The USDA process normally takes six to 12 months,” said Abel. “Slightly more than a year. That’s what we are looking at.”
Kelly Arduino, Director of Strategic and Capital Planning Services at Wipfli, LLP, who attended the meeting by telephone, said from a political perspective that there is “going to be tremendous pressure in the third and fourth quarters of the year. There will be a lot of approvals coming out.”
USDA representatives will meet with Patonai on Wednesday.
Commissioner Tom Warren asked the board to repeal the old resolution and move the new one forward. The board voted unanimously to do that.
“We feel confident you would come in below that 38 cent target,” added Nelson.
All Things Lake Chelan 
In all due respect: Even when there is thorough information presented, some how, the facts seem to get mixed up. The new resolution was not for the USDA loan it was to replace & updated the Bond resolution that the Commission voted on last Year. Kevin Abel & I will be on KOZI Friday morning at 8:15 and will give a thorough update on what took place at the Hospital Board meeting and what is going on. It’s way too easy to distort reality and cause panic with misinformation. Trying to second guess the processes on FB really doesn’t help. If anyone has questions about what is happening with the Bond, USDA loan or the New Hospital project, call one of us Commissioners. Here is my number: 509-670-4972
Thank you!
Mary Signorelli, chair
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