Operations Overview: The Road Ahead

Without a doubt 2014 has been an exciting year, full have change, challenge, hope and blessing. As we look to our objectives for 2015, we have begun planning for what looks to be another extraordinary year.We have been working diligently to bring to fruition our dream (as is many of your hopes for us as well) of becoming a medical facility. Offering ultrasounds and STD/STI testing is on the horizon, with several aspects of the transition already in the works.The Road AheadWe will have our annual financial audit late in the first quarter of 2015, and will require a legal audit sometime thereafter. However, prior to that time, we must develop medical policies, make changes to our current insurance policies, and revise our Human Resource policy, Employee Manual, IT policy, and so on. We will also have to create and/or update a variety of administrative and operational procedures in order to ensure that First Choice for Women is, and will remain, HIPPA complainant in all areas of operation. In addition, we must obtain formal commitments from medically certified and/or licensed volunteers, including an OBGYN or General Practitioner to read the ultrasounds, and a Registered Nurse to manage the operational aspects of the department and report back to our Medical Director, Dr. Jeff Ulrich. We are also required to be licensed as a medical facility by the State of Indiana, and all of our staff, as well as the medical department’s associated volunteers, will need to complete mandatory training session(s).All of this and much more will need to be completed during the medical conversion process, and we need your prayers and support as we work to finalize each laborious task. As difficult as it may be, we know it will be worth in the end! Statistics indicate that the likelihood of a woman choosing to carry her child to term increases 70 to 90 percent after having an ultrasound! And if that wasn’t enough, the opportunities to share the Gospel and discuss secondary abstinence to those who come to us for STI/STD testing extends our reach in the community even further!As we begin reviewing our policies and procedures in preparation for the changes to come, I am realizing just how arduous the road ahead is going to be… And I have to admit, I am feeling a little over-whelmed…But I trust that the Lord will walk with us as we travel this path, and I am extremely excited about the road ahead!Stops Along the RoadAs mentioned in our last issue of First Choice Quarterly, one of our top five objectives for 2015 is to address the general maintenance items necessary for the upkeep of our building, as well as evaluating the options available to resolve the current problematic areas of the facility. We were able to jump start this project in late 2014 thanks to S.A. Boyce and Asons Construction. Their willingness to use their skills, knowledge, and assets to help with these important needs is such an amazing blessing - we are so very grateful to have them as part of our First Choice for Women family!At What Cost?As you can imagine, converting to a medical facility comes with a large price tag, and several of the repairs needed for the building are extensive and costly. To account for the expenditures associated with both the conversion and ongoing medical cost, as well as other budgetary necessities like building repair and maintenance, we had to increase the 2015 budget by a whopping 25%. Although we are making every effort to reduce expenses where possible, we are praying that God will provide through those who are as passionate about saving and changing lives in our community as we are. We need our partners to stand in the gap and help us meet the nearly $50,000 annual increase, so that we can not only continue to serve those in need in our community, but extend our reach and save more lives through ultrasound technology.New Furnace and Roof Repairs!A very special THANK YOU to Scot Boyce and S.A Boyce for providing First Choice for Women with a brand new furnace, completely free of charge! Additional thanks to S. A. Boyce and Clemens Seamless Guttering for the free roof repairs!Thanks to the generosity of these local businesses, First Choice for Women clients, staff and volunteers will be able to stay warm and dry this winter!