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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 2, 1993                   TAG: 9303020219
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: MARION                                LENGTH: Short

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SMYTH HOSPITAL ADOPTS CODE OF CONDUCT

The Smyth County Community Hospital board of directors has adopted a code of conduct for its employees.

"The employees of SCCH are dedicated, caring individuals," said Roger Cooper, hospital president. "They have always adhered to the highest ethical standards of their profession. However, the hospital is committed to implementing all of the special grand jury's recommendations."

Cooper was referring to a grand jury that spent months looking into hospital operations at the direction of two circuit judges, and making recommendations on how they might be improved. Its recommendations also resulted in a subsequent grand jury indicting former hospital administrator Deane Beamer with embezzlement or fraudulent use of hospital funds.

The code requires members of the board and management to sign a conflict-of-interest policy, disclosing any conflict and abstaining from voting or discussing such issues; prohibits gifts to board members, medical staff, management or employees at hospital expense, and charges employees to bring violations to the attention of management or the board.

The board has also revised its bylaws and took other actions recommended by the investigatory grand jury. - Southwest bureau

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