“That doesn’t answer Mr. Carpenter’s question,” Kip said.
“Considering the size of the deal,” Kieran pursed his lips, “this is unusual, isn’t it? Where are our funds being deposited?”
“It’s not relevant to you. We have a detailed listing that all operating costs are paid,” another lawyer said.
Kip bit back what he wanted to say about their negligence, but it wouldn’t matter. They were on the run.
Brock read the paperwork and passed each individual page to one of the assistants, who passed it to the next. When all the legal people read the file, Brock passed it to Kieran. “It’s good to go.”
Kieran proceeded to read every page, and as Brock did, he passed each page to Kip. “You good?” Kieran asked.
“Do you have more of those antacids?” Kip asked.
Kieran reached into his pocket and handed Kip a roll of Tums, then he signed the paperwork. The Sommerstones’ lawyers took their copies to leave.
“Brock, do you have the other paperwork?” Brock handed Kieran a white envelope. “Kip, this is yours. Here is a copy of the documents to confirm this.”
Kip read the paperwork, which gave him full control of both branches and absolved him of any liability not due to his negligence. He returned the documents to the envelope and slid it into his suit pocket. Then he unlocked his phone and sent an urgent text to all New Orleans employees and company-wide to the senior staff: “We’re a go. Roll.”
At that order, an email went out to all Sommerstone staff stating that the facilities were now under Chase Care control.
* * *
Hunt Montgomery,Logan Shepard and Casey Reynolds stood on a stage in the hospital’s lecture hall. Sommerstone staff was arriving in droves as the emails hit their inboxes. Tobey O’Mara, Josh Stone and Chad Thorn stood against the back wall watching. Three lines sixteen persons long of personnel dressed in black scrubs stood in front of the stage. A headset was programmed to play throughout the facility except for patient rooms. Another two lines of men and women dressed in khaki trousers and black button-down shirts were book-ended on either side by a pair wearing khaki trousers and white button-down shirts.
Hunt nodded and turned to the other medical professionals, making sure the microphone was covered. “Let’s give Kieran and Kip a few minutes to get here. You ready to do double duty?”
“Yes,” the pair said in unison. Casey’s eyes twinkled. “If I get overwhelmed, I’ll say.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Hunt’s lips turned up. “Here they come.” He lifted his chin toward the door where he saw Kip roll his eyes at the sight of his staff standing on the stage.
Hunt smiled. “Hello, everyone. Those of you still standing, could you find a seat? For the staff on duty throughout the building, I hope you can hear me.”
Kip laughed. “Look at the staff’s faces. Beach boy smile and they swoon.”
“I’m Dr. Hunt Montgomery, the Chief of Medicine for the new Chase Care Health Corporation. As of 7:02 this morning, the Sommerstone Corporation no longer owns this facility. I’d like all of you to welcome the CEO of Chase Care, Kieran Chase.”
Kieran walked to the front of the room and reached for the microphone. “Everybody looks a little shell-shocked. I understand the Sommerstones failed to give you any notice about the change. I will make a firm promise to do my best to make you aware of any changes that impact your lives. That starts now. Our primary reason for making changes is for the patients’ benefit, and those changes will also benefit you.
“I am not a medical person. I am a businessman. I will speak to what I can. After today, the face of the business will be the CEO of Chase Care-New Orleans, Kip Brennan.”
Kip waved.
“I want to introduce three other folks. Casey Reynolds, your new director of nursing, and Dr. Thom Wagner, your new director of medicine for the newly named Chase Care Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. And this is Logan Shepard, Chase Care New Orleans’ staff director.
“Part of being a good businessman is to know when to let your people shine. So, I’ll let Kip speak to you.” Kieran stepped away from the podium.
When Kyle slipped into the back of the room and nodded, Kip stepped up and smiled. “Hi. We have a lot to discuss, but I’ll keep this speech short today. I’ll start with Sommerstone Manor. I am deeply sorry for your loss of friends, colleagues, and patients. We will get to the bottom of what happened. At this time, the survivors are being moved to reconfigured floors in the C&M Chase building in the business district until at least after the storm. We will rebuild.
“We expect the storm to impact all of us and our patients. In the next few hours, you will receive emails requesting information. We realize you, as essential staff, have families too. If you’re worried about them, you won’t be here. We need the information requested to help you acquire materials to stormproof your homes and evacuate your loved ones. We have procured motel and hotel rooms at our cost.
“Now business. Staffing levels will be standardized. The level will be established by patient acuity. To accomplish these goals, every person will need to bring current certifications, licenses and a driver’s license or non-license ID or passport to our licensing personnel, who will be here and at the C&M Chase Building around the clock. At that time, you will be issued a new identification card. Effective Monday, that card will grant you entry to the building. Before that, security will be at every entrance. You must have that ID visibly on your person while you’re here. It will also get you paid. Timeclocks will be installed on each floor. Without the ID, you cannot gain entry other than coming in through the main entrance and going through security.
“Patients will receive new ID bands that have elopement sensors built in. All staff will be issued color-coded scrubs. You will wear them. We pay for them, and we will launder them. Hair will be kept out of your face. No hats except scrub caps, yarmulkes, hijabs, turbans, kufis, keffiyehs or any other religious cap.
“Beginning tomorrow, all staff will be expected to repeat basic life support certification. LPNs and RNs must also take advanced cardiac life support. Pediatric nurses must take PALS. Class schedules will be posted; all will be available around the clock.” Kip heard grumbling coming from the group.
“What do you get for all these new requirements? And there will be more. From now forward, there will be two physicians in house per shift and one PA or NP on every unit during every shift for the Chase Care Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. Each hospital unit will have at minimum a physician, NP, and PA around the clock. You will have adequate supplies to do your job, whether it’s janitorial, administrative, dietary or medical. There will be no tolerance for bullies, prima donnas or kings. Supervisors are not exempt from getting their hands dirty. You lead by example.
