McKinney, Deanna 1998-11-12

Deanna McKinney, Vice President for Nursing Services at Covenant Health System, discusses changes in the nursing profession and issues central to the merger of St. Mary’s and Methodist Hospitals that led to the creation of Covenant Health System.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Deanna McKinney

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: November 12, 1998

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Allison

Length: 50 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Deanna McKinney background, From northwestern New Mexico, Move to Lubbock, Texas (1970), Tornado (May 11, 1970), Attended Methodist School of Nursing, Graduated (1972), Tornado’s effects, Nursing skills/training, Marriage, Children, Lubbock’s assets, Health care, Compared to other cities, Work experience, Changes, Compares to peers in other cities, Quality of Lubbock medicine, Outpatient Rehab Facility, "David" Back Clinic, One of only four in the nation, First rate research protocol, Deanna McKinney (again), God’s direction in coming to Lubbock, Mother’s influence, Amarillo, Texas nursing school, Methodist School of Nursing, Dean Irene Wilson’s invitation, Methodist School of Nursing (c. 1970), Expectations, Dormitory, Classes, Changes, Responsible for School of Nursing in Covenant, Irene Wilson (again), One of only two "diploma" schools in Texas, Children (again), Methodist School of Nursing, Explanation of "diploma" school, Nursing shortages, Always in West Texas, Oversupply in some areas, Difficulty to draw nurses to Lubbock, Nursing profession, Changes, "Calling", Higher salaries, Changing motivations, Attitudes, "Boomers" and "Busters", Doctors’ attitudes, Salary (c. 1970), Paid hourly now, Positive and negative aspects, Doctors’ attitudes and work habits, Medicare’s impact, DRG pay system cut payments (1982-83), Threat to hospitals, Recurring worries, Paperwork increased, Patient care, Technology, Emphasis on money, Effect on nurses’ attitudes, Relationship between doctors and nurses, Increased verbal abuse, Handling, Causes, Patients’ attitudes toward nurses, Accusations.

Tape 1, Side 2: Influential doctors, Drs. Robert Salem, Jerry Stirman, Ted Allen, Randolph Rutledge, Hal Warshaw, Alvin Bronwell, R. C. Douglas, Robert Arnold, Leslie Ansley, T. H., Holmes, J. M. Rankin, Dr. Robert Salem, characteristics, Dr. Don Bricker, First open heart surgery (1970), Significance, Texas Tech Medical School, Male nurses, Percentages, Impact, Ability to relate to medical staff, Female doctors compared to male doctors, Patient care, Nursing profession changes (again), Technology, Increasing status, Custodial work, Patients sicker now, Home medical care more extensive, Example of cardiac catherization patients, Home nursing, Quality of Lubbock medicine, Background, Role of founding fathers, Vision, Methodist Hospital administrators, Founding fathers at Methodist Hospital, Drs. J. T. Krueger, J. T. Hutchinson and M. C., Overton, Regional medicine, Methodist Hospital’s efforts to promote good relations, Covenant a continuation high quality, Covenant Health System (merger), Motivation for merger, Less duplication of services, Focus on care, not competition, Issues in merger, Control, Philosophical differences of health care, Little divergence, Role of nuns similar to ministers, Spiritual aspects, Change in itself is an issue, Progress made in merger, Difficulties, Consolidation of units, St. Mary’s staff concern about size, Equal status of hospitals, "Marriage", Boards of each hospital, Motivations, Influential individuals in merger, Executive Board, Charley Trimble.

Range Dates: 1945-1998

Bulk Dates: 1995-1998

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