A public forum will be held today (Thursday), April 9, at 7 p.m. at the Lovell Community Center. The purpose of the meeting will be for members of the public to give input and suggestions about the health care services and facilities at North Big Horn Hospital and clinic and New Horizons Care Center.

In addition to input collected at the meeting, surveys were sent out with the Lovell Chronicle and distributed at several community events. More than 500 surveys have been returned to the hospital, according to Janet Koritnik. Any additional surveys may be turned in at tonight’s meeting.

A&E Architects of Billings is on contract with NBHH to compile the data and create a 5-10-year facility master plan, which is slated to be complete in June of 2009. A&E also interviewed hospital employees, department heads and providers from every department and personnel from agencies that work with the hospital including the North Big Horn Senior Center and Big Horn Basin Counseling Services to include in the plan.

Tonight’s meeting will allow the public to be heard and their thoughts incorporated.

 “People can express their opinions and what they would like to see happen at the hospital, care center or clinic,” Koritnik said. “It’s a 5- to 10-year plan we’re trying to develop.

“It makes sense to have a plan, to put projects into phases and prioritize. When searching for grant money, having a plan makes more sense.”

The planning of the facility master plan is being paid for with a $40,000 community healthcare assessment grant from the Wyoming Office of Rural Health.

NBHH Facilities Director Bill Pearce, interim CEO Larry Putnam and architects from A&E will be in attendance to listen to ideas from the community. A&E will present some results of the surveys and a synopsis of what employees from each department had to say.

Refreshments will be served and attendees will have a chance to win a door prize at the meeting.