The Chief of the Medical Staff at Geary Community Hospital, Dr. Richard Lochamy has proposed the possible establishment of a daycare service at GCH for children of the hospital employees.

The idea was taken to the Board of Trustees on Tuesday.

Lochamy feels it’s important to show the employees that they’re being looked at as a total package. “Have raised the possibility of bringing daycare to our campus to keep the entire family close knit. I think it would show some sincerity on the hospital’s behalf that we’re thinking of their young ones, and I think it might seperate us from the rest of the pack. I think we need to consider retention, and I think it would just be a nice package for Geary Community Hospital to bring to our employees.”

Hospital CEO Dr. Joseph Stratton confirmed a task force will be formed to study the issue of daycare for the children of hospital employees.

Lochamy indicated he is willing to help fund part of the project. Factors noted in support of the proposal included the high cost for employees to obtain their own daycare service,  the hospital in Abilene already offers daycare service to employees, and Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is looking at it. Lochamy indicated he has seen a place at GCH where a daycare service could possibly be located, and noted Geary Community is competing with a number of hospitals in the area to retain employees in the area.