MyChart
Cost-Saving Measures Announced at Welia Health
Welia Health notified its employees late last week of cost-reducing measures, including decreasing staff workloads, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Randy Ulseth, CEO of Welia Health, commented how amazed and inspired he is by the extraordinary work already done by staff. He also expressed gratitude for their flexibility and dedication to help prepare for the ultimate unknown, saying, “The teamwork, dedication and ingenuity I’ve witnessed is a profound expression of the commitment to the organization and ultimately, to the patients of our communities.”
On March 23, 2020 Governor Tim Waltz issued the executive order temporarily discontinuing routine, non-emergent services, procedures and surgeries. Those actions were taken, understandably, to keep healthcare workers and our communities safe while preserving as much personal protective equipment (PPE) as possible. Those same critical actions have now significantly impacted patient volumes, revenues and service offerings.
Since the Governor’s executive order, Welia Health has experienced at least a 50% decline in revenues, compelling the organization to take a hard look at the resulting financial challenges while at the same time, doing whatever necessary to continue to serve its communities in a post-COVID-19 world. Pouring over reports and all available data, Ulseth, along with his senior leadership team, have introduced the following cost-saving measures.
- A temporary reduction in staffing hours to better align with volumes
- Suspension of services at its Hinckley clinic
- Creation of work-from-home arrangements for those whose essential job functions allow
- A reduction in pay for senior leadership positions
- Reallocation of staff to alternative departments
Ulseth and the senior team recognize that these are anxious times for employees and have implemented a support team to help with the stressors accompanying this pandemic.
After announcing the cost-saving measures, Ulseth spoke with employees reassuring them these changes are temporarily, and in turn, they offered him understanding and support. Ulseth stated, “I believe our employees understand the hard decisions that needed to be made. I can’t express my gratitude enough for everyone is doing their part to help keep the organization viable.”
For the most up-to-date information on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit Minnesota Department of Health website, or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. These resources, along with local Kanabec County and Pine County resources, are available at WeliaHealth.org/coronavirus.