Laughlin Health Care Foundation

“Charles whitfield (director) is a relative of herbert whitfield (director).”

“The foundation is operated and supervised by its supported organization, laughlin memorial hospital. The hospital has a substantial degree of direction over the conduct, policies, programs and activities of the foundation. The relationship is comparable to that of a parent (hospital) and subsidiary (foundation) when the subsidiary is under the direction of and accountable or responsible to the parent organization.”

“Pursuant to the foundation's bylaws, 60% of the foundation's board positions are appointed and elected by laughlin memorial hospital. At least one representative of laughlin memorial hospital's board of directors shall serve on the foundation's board of directors. Form 990, part vi, line 11a - copy of return provided to governing body the foundation's board of directors did not exist at the time the 6/30/18 form 990 was completed. However, as noted in line 11b below, the foundation's successor board, following its merger during fy19 with ballad health foundation, did conduct a review of the return.”

“Laughlin health care foundation merged during fy19 with ballad health foundation prior to completing this fy18 return. Ballad health's svp of community health and system advancement reviewed this form 990 with the board of directors of ballad health foundation prior to filing with the irs. The return was made available to each board member in an elecronic format prior to the review.”

“A conflict of interest policy is signed by all board members and reviewed annually. Should a conflict occur, the member is required to either resolve the conflict or resign.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“(continued from form 990, part iii, line 4a) the foundation provided more than 33,000 to fund scholarships for local students to pursue programs in healthcare. Laughlin memorial hospital is located in a small town, which can make recruitment of trained healthcare professionals more challenging. Scholarships to community residents will more likely ensure they will remain and work in our community. The foundation provided financial assistance to an unrelated nonprofit organization that provided a free vision clinic in our county. Free meals were provided to low-income residents. Other assistance included helping laughlin memorial hospital low-income oncology patients with their utility expenses and various small dollar amounts to cover health education activites and other outreach programs.”

“Ballad health (ballad) is a tax-exempt entity and the parent corporation of both mountain states health alliance (msha) and wellmont health system (whs). The two healthcare systems came together on february 1, 2018 as a result of a merger approved by both tennessee and virginia departments of health. The individuals serving as the board of directors of ballad also serve as the board of directors of msha and whs. The audited consolidated financial statements of ballad include msha, whs and their subsidiaries and affiliates which were previously included in either msha or whs audited consolidated financial statements. Ballad has an audit committee which assumes responsibility for oversight of the audit of its financial statements and the selection of an independent auditor.”