Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Healthcare Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council names two liaisons to Newport Hospital after debate; some members sought delay
Summary
The council passed a resolution appointing Councilor Stephanie Smythe and Councilor Zai Kamsi Borovong (transcript name variant) as liaisons to Newport Hospital, following debate about whether the hospital had been consulted and whether the council should wait for hospital input.
The Newport City Council voted to appoint two council liaisons to Newport Hospital: Councilor Stephanie Smythe and Councilor Zai Kamsi Borovong. The resolution directs the liaisons to work with Brown University Health, Newport Hospital leadership, the hospital foundation, state representatives and community stakeholders to support efforts to ensure continued availability of hospital services and to explore sustainable solutions.
Nut graf: The measure passed after extended discussion in which some councilors asked whether the hospital had been consulted and suggested a short continuance to allow hospital leadership to weigh in. Supporters said the liaisons would serve as points of contact, not decision‑makers, and pointed to recent meetings between council members and hospital leadership about the birthing center and other services.
Councilors who favored the resolution described the liaison role as a standard practice used for other community institutions and said it would improve coordination; opponents or those seeking a continuance asked that administration confirm the hospital’s interest in liaison contacts first. The council voted against a motion to continue the item for two weeks and then approved the resolution as presented.
Ending: The liaisons are expected to act as communication points between the council and hospital leadership; the hospital or council may engage further and provide updates to the full council as discussions progress.
