Ratigan joins hospital board of trustees

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
Mike Ratigan joined the Weston County Health Services board of trustees after being selected out of six candidates (Lisa Gagnon, Vera Huber, William Lunney, Ashley Tupper, Ratigan and LeAnn Kenagy) to fill the position left vacant by Travis Cochran. Cochran’s resignation was accepted by the board on Dec. 20, and applicants had until Feb. 8 to submit their names for consideration. 
Ratigan was selected in what board President Jimmy Long called a “tough decision.” Long said that the board will consider increasing the number of members to seven to reflect the number of people interested in serving. The five people not selected would be told that they could apply again before the next election if the board is increased to seven members. 
Each candidate spoke briefly to the board and answered members’ questions.
Ratigan said that he has been a part of the community for 35 years, working most recently before retirement as the manager of Northern Wyoming Mental Health in Newcastle. 
“The one thing I miss being retired is the involvement in the community,” Ratigan said. “I enjoyed that a great deal.”
Ratigan said he previously served eight years on the Weston County Health Services board, which he said gives him an insight into some hospital operations. 
When asked what he has to offer that other applicants didn’t, Ratigan responded, “I was familiar with how the hospital operated, the trials and tribulations it has gone through. I think I could bring some of that experience of working with a CEO, being a CEO and working with boards.” 
According to Ratigan, he also has board training through the Wyoming Hospital Association. He said that he sees the board as the facility’s oversight and not involved in the day-to-day management of hospital operations. 
“I think it is supporting your CEO and supporting your managers,” Ratigan said. “I think there are very rare exceptions to that.” 
As for the gaps in services provided by the hospital, Ratigan said that he is not 100 percent sure what services the hospital offers and doesn’t currently so he is unable to say what the facility is lacking. 
“A lot of things I wanted years ago while on the board have been implemented, one was the retail pharmacy,” Ratigan said. 
“I think it (WCHS) has become a more and more viable entity in the infrastructure of Newcastle and is very important in that sort of way,” Ratigan said. “I have to confess, years and years ago I thought the hospital would become part Regional (Health). It was a pretty ugly topic back then and still is, but I don’t feel that way anymore.” 
Ratigan said that he sees the hospital continuing to expand and flourish in the community, becoming a more stable entity over the years.