WJ Mangold Memorial Hospital and Cogdell Clinic in Lockney (Photo courtesy of WJ Mangold Memorial Hospital)
FLOYD COUNTY – As Lockney’s W.J. Mangold Memorial Hospital prepares to buy a new CT Scan machine approved by the Lockney General Hospital District in September, members of the hospital district board have begun enquiring with economic and governmental groups across the county on subsidizing the purchase.
Monday morning Andi Ford and Dianne Doucette asked county commissioners about assistance in paying for the $361,000 machine. The hospital’s current CT machine, roughly over a decade old, would be traded in for $35,000 and then sent to a third-world country or used in a veterinary setting. The hospital district is also contributing $70,000 toward the machine, bringing the funds needed to raise to $256,000.
Commissioners and Judge Marty Lucke were quick to praise the hospital for their service to the community, and agreed to funding assistance with the hospital. Judge Lucke explained to commissioners he had already spoken with the Texas Association of Counties and confirmed that if they worked with Mangold directly instead of the hospital district, they could use remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the plan, but did not set an amount. Lucke said he would work with Hospital CEO Vince DiFranco and Chief Financial Officer Butch Forrest, as well as Floyd County Attorney Lex Herington on getting an interlocal agreement for the funds.
Following that meeting the Lockney Economic Development Corporation met Monday evening to hear from Ford and Doucette. They agreed that as Lockney’s largest employer with 120 workers, and as an outstanding resource for the community it was imperative for them to support the hospital, with the only question being for how much. Ultimately it was decided to give the hospital $56,000 initially with the possibility of giving more if requested, bringing the amount needed to pay for the machine down to $200,000.
The new machine will be 12-times more powerful that the current CT scanner. It will be able to perform a number of procedures unavailable on the current model due to age, and will no longer require patients to move during the scan, saving patients from possible further injury and pain. It is expected to be installed in early spring.
