KVHD board reviews pharmacy progress, finances, and facility upgrade


The Kern Valley Healthcare District board met Thursday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m., approving routine agenda items and receiving updates on the district’s pharmacy relocation, skilled nursing facility improvements, financial position, and clinic workflow.
The meeting opened with a prayer asking that board members be guided “to better serve our community,” thanking hospital employees for their work and noting appreciation that Director Parks had survived a recent car accident.
Directors first addressed the consent calendar. A board member requested that portions of the Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Information Officer reports be pulled for questions. The board then approved the remaining consent items.
In his CEO report, Chief Executive Officer John Lovrich said work continues the district’s new retail pharmacy space. Carpet installation is complete, which he said makes the area feel significantly larger, with ceiling and electrical work next. Lovrich said the district is now aiming for a Jan. 15, 2026, opening date.
Lovrich said the district is also working through how to stock over-the-counter items, noting current wholesale pricing leaves little room to keep retail prices competitive. During discussion, a board member suggested leasing space to a third-party operator, but Lovrich said that would put the district in direct competition as a drugstore.
Lovrich updated the board on ongoing improvements at the district’s skilled nursing facility, including new flooring, baseboards and corner guards. He said plans are being finalized for a small permitting process to install new cabinetry, a hand-wash sink near the nurses’ station, and a larger refrigerator. He described the work as minor and expected to move quickly once approved.
The skilled nursing facility census was reported at “about 52,” with several potential admissions pending. Lovrich said staff plan to distribute new brochures to hospitals in Bakersfield to attract referrals and that billboards are planned to promote the facility. He also suggested a future open house or using photos to show improvements while minimizing disruption to residents.
Lovrich told the board the search for a chief financial officer has been difficult. Directors discussed alternatives including shared-service arrangements with other hospitals, part-time or consultant support, and whether some functions could be handled remotely. Board members raised concerns about California-specific billing rules and past experiences with remote finance leadership.
Discussion then turned to the clinic’s electronic health record system. Staff said the district has used its current system for roughly 17 years and while it remains familiar, changes in billing and reporting requirements have created duplicate work.
Staff explained billing is handled through a separate system, requiring information to be entered more than once and complicating cost reporting and year-end financials. They said a unified system could reduce redundancy and add patient-facing tools such as mobile check-in, online scheduling and a more functional patient portal. Staff emphasized any change would need to avoid slowing documentation or reducing patient access.
The board also reviewed financial reports for the fourth month of the fiscal year, ending Oct. 31, 2025. Directors noted year-to-date operating revenue exceeded budget, driven largely by outpatient, clinic and pharmacy activity. Retail pharmacy prescriptions were reported as well above budget, helping offset weaker inpatient numbers.
At the same time, inpatient volume lagged expectations. Acute patient days and adult discharges both came in below budget, a trend staff said puts pressure on revenue because inpatient care remains one of the hospital’s higher-paying services. Emergency room visits were slightly under budget, but a higher percentage of ER patients required admission, which staff said is financially stronger than treat-and-release visits.
KVHD is also updating its security system in response to recent theft and break-ins tied to district facilities.
KVHD board meetings are open to the public and are typically held at 2 PM, on the second Thursday of each month.
Agendas and meeting information are posted on the Kern Valley Healthcare District website.