Farnsworth appointed to hospital board

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Jamie Farnsworth joined the Weston County Health Services board of trustees on Aug. 19. She is taking the place of former board member Lanny Reimer, who could no longer serve on the board once he became an employee of the hospital district. 
Farnsworth, according to Chairman Connie James, was the only applicant for the vacancy and was appointed unanimously at the beginning of the board meeting. 
A long time employee in the health care field but now retired, Farnsworth said that while she has experience in the medical field, her knowledge of board operations is not vast. 
“I grew up here (Weston County) and went to the University of Wyoming, where I got my bachelor’s in science and nursing,” she said. “I worked in public health and retired as the school nurse.” 

As for why she wanted to serve on the board, Farnsworth said she would like to see patient satisfaction a focus at the rural hospital here. 
“Health care is being shifted. With the big business (that) health care is today, I want to know what we can do to improve the quality of care,” she said. 
Before Farnsworth’s appointment, board member Mike Ratigan expressed concern with appointing and interviewing Farnsworth that evening. 
“I think Jamie is a great applicant. I don’t want to diminish that, but I am surprised we are having interviews. I haven’t seen a resume,” Ratigan said. 
James clarified that a resume was not required to express interest or fill the board position. The only requirement is an application, which had been submitted. 
Following the brief interview, the board voted unanimously to appoint Farnsworth to the board until the election in May 2022. At that point, CEO Maureen Cadwell said, Farnsworth will have the option to run for election to retain the seat.