Gifford Mends Fences
With Ambulalance Service

Gifford Medical Center has reestablished its relationship with the White River Valley Ambulance Inc. (WRVA), the medical center said this week.

The hospital in March had dropped its representation on the WRVA’s board of directors in the midst of disagreements over the organization’s business policies and directions.

Linda Minsinger of Randolph Center, vice president of patient care services at Gifford, in response to a request by the WRVA Board, has now re-joined as the hospital’s representative.

The hospital is also offering some financial expertise.

"I really feel incredibly lucky to have Linda back on the board and to have the hospital’s assistance," said ambulance board Chairman Tom Anderson of Brookfield. "She has so much knowledge of medical administration … it’s worth its weight in gold."

"The partnership is renewed. It’s strengthened. We’re going to work together. We’re a team," Anderson said.

Minsinger joins Anderson and seven other town representatives on the volunteer board, which oversees the nonprofit, Bethel-based ambulance service.

"Communication was one issue" in her leaving the WRVA board in March after serving for two years, she said.

"Change was not occurring," she explained. She felt the ambulance board was not making positive progress to fix problems and move forward, and felt ineffective as a member.

Recently, however, work has occurred to evaluate and begin to improve the ambulance service’s financial oversight, communications and business practices, such as its billing system, she said.

Minsinger noted that even during tumultuous times, the ambulance service has continued to provide an outstanding service.