NR Market Watch

Douglas County Physicians Announce Interim CEO
Board Appoints Roseburg Physician Robert Dannenhoffer

Roseburg, Oregon—The Physicians of Douglas County (DCIPA) is pleased to announce that Robert Dannenhoffer, M.D. has been named interim chief executive officer and will take over the day-to-day management of the organization for the next three to six months while an executive search is conducted.

“The job of CEO is a critical position to which members and staff looks for guidance and leadership,” said Dr. Larry Sharp, DCIPA’s Board chairman. “Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer is one of DCIPA’s founding fathers and its original Medical Director.  He has incredible breadth of experience and we are grateful that he has agreed to provide leadership during this time of transition.”

In order to accept the DCIPA Board assignment, Dr. Dannenhoffer vacated his position at Roseburg’s Mercy Medical Center where he had been Vice President of clinical effectiveness and a member of the hospital safety committee. In addition to his being a practicing physician with ties to DCIPA and Mercy, Dannenhoffer was also Medical Director at SureCare Health Plans, Inc. He has served as President of the Oregon Medical Association (OMA).

During a period at the Bethesda Naval Hospital, Dr. Dannenhoffer was an instructor in the Pediatrics Department at Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor in the Pediatrics Department at Uniformed University of Health Services.

“DCIPA is a great organization with a great future, and I’m looking forward to leading it through the many health care challenges facing Douglas County and the state of Oregon,” Dannenhoffer said.

DCIPA’s Board of Directors made the interim appointment after Ron Preston resigned from the day-to-day management of the organization and transitioned to a new position.  He will continue with DCIPA as Senior Consultant and will serve as a liaison to stakeholders on critical state and federal issues.

Douglas County Physicians CEO Ron Preston Announces Transition to New Position as Senior Consultant
DCIPA to Announce a Successor Soon

Roseburg, Oregon—Ron Preston, chief executive officer of The Physicians of Douglas County (DCIPA) for the past 15 years, is resigning from the day-to-day management of the organization. Preston will continue with DCIPA as a Senior Consultant and serve as a liaison to stakeholders on critical state and federal issues.

“As CEO, Ron Preston provided the critical leadership that helped bring quality health care to Douglas County,” said Dr. Larry Sharp, DCIPA’s Board chairman. “The Physicians of Douglas County are widely recognized as stewards of health and health care, thanks to Ron.”

“Physicians are faced with enormous challenges that threaten their ability to provide quality services and maintain sustainable medical practices.  Government is implementing wide-sweeping changes to expand coverage to the uninsured and force providers to reduce healthcare costs.  At the same time, competitors are boldly looking for ways to increase market share and grab revenue,” Sharp said. “Ron Preston has been there every step of the way advocating tirelessly on behalf of independent physicians.  He will continue to fight these important issues for DCIPA in a new capacity which better serves his and DCIPA’s needs.”

Ron Preston is credited with expanding DCIPA’s marketshare, enhancing DCIPA’s visibility in the community, and providing quality and affordable health care to the uninsured and the underinsured.

His commitment to technology and to recruiting highly trained physicians for Douglas County has made a difference.  Ron worked behind the scenes to keep health care costs low. He launched the electronic medical records (EMR) system to enhance the quality of health care for patients.

“People have a better understanding that physicians in Douglas County today are as highly trained as anywhere else, thanks to Ron Preston’s leadership.”

DCIPA is moving quickly with plans to find a successor.  The Board will meet within the next week to name an interim CEO.

From: Neil Hummel, Century 21

Greetings:                                            August 19, 2010

WOW!  Did our American Legion team do us proud?  They placed 3^rd in the nation in the American Legion World Series.  That is the highest finish of any team that has gone to the World Series.  I am so proud of those boys and all they were able to accomplish.  We needed something positive to rally around to give us something to speak of that is good and wholesome.  With all the horrific events that have occurred in our community this past year, we needed this event.  Be sure and thank the kids when you see them in the community and let them know how much you appreciate their achievements.

Also, on another note, COSTCO opened their doors on August 12^th, with over 5000 customers coming through the door.  It was one of the largest “Grand Openings” the company has witnessed for a town our size. The store was welcomed with open arms and a big boost to our economy with over 300 local people employed by them.

Our community suffered another economic blow when Alcan, a large international cable company decided to close its doors at the end of this year.  They at one time employed over 350+  employees and had to close because of the hard economic conditions world wide.  We all are devastated by their decision to close and leave our area.  Also, The Swanson Timber Company announced that they are closing their Glendale mill and cutting back on production at their Roseburg mill as well.  This will have a severe impact on our community because those are high paying jobs that we are losing.

Our July residential highlights ended on a positive note when comparing July 2009 with this July for closed increased +2.5%.  However, pending sales were down -14% and new listings dropped -11.9%.  Our inventory has increased to 16.3 months up from 14.1 months just a month ago and up from 15.8 months a year ago.  When comparing June 2010 to July closed sales fell -10.9% (82v.92). Pending sales decreased -7.5% (86v.93) and new listings were down -16.2% (207v.247).

Our average sales prices are still decreasing.  In fact, comparing 2009 to July 2010 the average sales price decreased by -11.4% to ($148,400v.$167,500).  However, when you compare June 2010 to July 2010 the average sales price increased by +0.5% ( $148,400 v. $147,600.)  The total market time in 2010 is down by 6 days from 187 in 2009 to 181 days in 2010. Our real estate market continues to suffer and I don’t see any bottoming out soon.  I feel that 2011 is going to present the toughest economic time we have see yet. We still have many properties coming on the market and our foreclosure rates continue to climb. (up +23% statewide.)  Many of our sellers are participating in the selling process, with buyer incentives, fixing up their properties to ensure a faster sale and offering seller financing when possible.  During times such as these, sellers have to realize that the proper pricing of their properties is the most important element in the marketing process.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and I hope you are like me ready to , “Bring on the Football Season!”  GO DUCKS!