No action taken after HCHD called meeting

CROCKETT – The handful of the hospital staff and employees who waited patiently for the board to return from the executive session were left scratching their heads after hearing “no action would be taken” following the called meeting held at noon last Friday, by the Houston County Hospital District board of directors.

It was anticipated that the board would be voting on whether or not to accept the terms of the contract with Dr. Kelly Tjelmeland, the current tenant of the Crockett Medical Center.

Tjelmeland and Dr. Subir Chikara had approached the Houston County Hospital Board back in December 2017 with plans to provide hospital services to the Crockett Medical Center. The five-year contract was signed on January 15, 2018, which means it was up for renewal this year. The board has played it very close to the vest as to what Tjelmeland might be asking in terms of expectations from the hospital district in order to extend his contract.

Board President Barbara Crowson said previously that they had a verbal agreement with Tjelmeland back in July that he would renew his contract, but apparently, negotiations are still in progress, resulting in the ‘no action taken’ announcement at the meeting.

The next hospital district board meeting will occur on Tuesday, Jan. 17, after the designated contract renewal date. Until then, employees and staff wait anxiously to see what their future holds.