IMC board to discuss nomination procedure today at meeting

The Iberia Medical Center Board of Commissioners is scheduled to discuss the procedure for nominating members to the board during its regular meeting Thursday evening.

The nomination process became an issue Dec. 12 at the regular meeting of the Iberia Parish Council when that body tabled the renomination of board member Dr. Larry Nelson because other applicants had come forward, noting their names had not been forwarded to the council for consideration.

In addition to tabling Nelson’s reappointment, District 6 Councilwoman Natalie Broussard also said stipulations to ensure the IMC board advertised the available board seat both publicly and in house.

Nelson’s term expires Dec. 27. His name has been submitted for reappointment, but the resumés of at least two other nominees were not submitted to the council.

According to the council agenda, Drs. David C. Benson and José A. Mata applied for consideration as board appointees representing the medical staff. Neither was listed for consideration.

The IMC board is different from most parish boards in that it was created under the ordinance which created the hospital district. According to that ordinance, the applications for the board of all applicants are to be forwarded to the council. 

The hospital board can recommend one or more of the eligible candidates, but the council has final say on the appointment.

According to the ordinance which created Iberia Parish Hospital District No. 1, two of the nine board positions are to be filled from the medical staff.

The board also will discuss and evaluate its partnership agreement with the Lafayette General Health System. IMC entered into the partnership in August 2015. The agreement requires an annual review and update from the IMC board.

The IMC board meets at 5:30 p.m. today in the IMC Board Room on the hospital’s main campus.