Jerry Rodriguez, vice president and chief operating officer of Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville, said that a recent surprise inspection of Christus Spohn by the Joint Commission showed the hospital was doing a “phenomenal job.”

Rodriguez, in his report to Bee County commissioners during their Monday meeting, said that the commission, which sets the standards for hospitals, ensuring patient safety and quality clinical care, arrived May 18 with only 10 minutes notice.

“We found out they were coming at 7:20 a.m. and they were there at 7:30 a.m,” he said adding that they knew they would be coming sometime within a six-month time frame.

Rodriguez said that the hospital passed its unannounced inspection in May “with flying colors.”

Rodriguez, after the meeting, said that the inspector had minor recommendations of change which the hospital would correct but found no major problems.

Rodriguez, during the meeting, said, “I am proud to say we did a phenomenal job”

The survey, which occurs every three years, lasted about four days.

“(The inspector) was very positive and had a lot of great things to say about our physicians and the hospital,” Rodriguez said.

Receiving a good review from the commission is typical for the Beeville hospital.

“Historically, during the last two surveys, we did well,” he said. “This was probably the best we have done.”

Rodriguez offered his thanks to the hospital employees for their work.

“I am very pleased with the associates, physicians and volunteers,” he said. “Everybody has done a great job by continuing to provide great care for our community.

“This is definitely something our community should be proud of.”

In other news, the hospital on Monday announced its four new Advisory Board members: Dr. Joseph Larakers, Felipita Bastida, John Patrick “Pat” Dougherty and Mickey L. Lofton.

Dr. Joseph A. Larakers has been an active member of the medical community in the Coastal Bend for more than a decade. In addition to his medical practice and duties, Dr. Larakers has also been active in local medical societies and on the medical staff of Christus Spohn Health System. Larakers was asked to join the Advisory Board by Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville.

Felipita Bastida is an active member of the Beeville community. She is a board member for many organizations including the Bee County Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Bend College Child Development Department, Bee County Head Start Policy Council, and Bee County Child Protective Board. Bastida is also an active member of Our Lady of Victory Church and serves on the finance committee. She is the owner and administrator of La Amistad Adult Day Care and owned Beeville Tiny Tots, Inc. from 1991 until 2007. Bastida is a lifelong resident of Beeville, has been married to her husband, Jose Bastida, for 25 years and has three children: Jeanette, Leanna and Maria. Bastida was asked to join the Advisory Board by Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville.

John Patrick “Pat” Dougherty graduated from A.C. Jones High School and attended Bee County College. He has been self-employed for 28 years as a farmer, rancher and as the principal owner in an oil and gas company in Beeville. Dougherty is also active at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and for the last 14 years has served as a teacher and advisor in religious education. Dougherty and his wife, Shannon Miller Dougherty, have four children ages 16 to 4 who attend Skidmore-Tynan schools. Dougherty was asked to join the Advisory Board by Bee County.

Mickey L. Lofton and his wife, Patsy, have lived in Beeville since 2000 when they moved here so that Lofton could take on the role of president of the Beeville and Mathis Prosperity Banking Centers. Mrs. Lofton is a first-grade teacher at Pettus Elementary School. Lofton is involved in several area organizations including the First Baptist Church where he teaches Sunday school class. Lofton is an Army veteran and a graduate of Texas Tech University. He has worked in finance and banking since his college days in several capacities, including financing farmers for the USDA, as a loan officer, and vice president of a large bank. Lofton and his wife have two grown children and two grandchildren. Lofton was asked to join the Advisory Board by Bee County.

“Working together, with the help of the county, we were able to appoint several exceptional additions to our board. I am confident that Dr. Larakers, Mrs. Bastida, Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Lofton will represent the community, advocate patient care and be good stewards of the hospital’s financial resources. I look forward to working with all of them,” Rodriguez said in a news release.