Niles doctor to provide services at state facility

He is also Trumbull County Jail physician.
COLUMBUS -- The state is contracting with a Niles doctor for physician services at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown.
The State Controlling Board approved an unbid, $400,990 contract Monday with Dr. Phillip P. Malvasi of Niles to provide physician services at the prison.
Two-year contract
The contract calls for a $126,624 payment to Malvasi this fiscal year and a $274,376 payment in the next fiscal year.
According to documents filed with the board, state officials solicited proposals in October when the contracted vendor at the time wasn't able to fulfill the services for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Right now, a local physician group is providing physician services on a short-term basis, the state said.
A request for proposals was circulated and two proposals were received. Dr. Malvasi met all the requirements, state officials said.
He has been Trumbull County's jail doctor since late 2001.
Renewed
In August 2004, county commissioners renewed a $270,000 yearly contract of Dr. Malvasi at the jail -- without seeking competitive bids and against the wishes of the county prosecutor's office. The doctor provides medical care and treatment of inmates.
The county is not required to seek competitive bids for professional services, said Tony Carson, county administrator.
On Sept. 1, 2005, the contract with Dr. Malvasi was renewed at $275,000 for one year. That figure also provides for nursing staff and other office services, Carson said Monday. Carson said the county believes the doctor can hold both the county and state jobs as long as he fulfills his county contract.
Pleased with work
Carson said county officials have been pleased with Dr. Malvasi's work at the jail and how hospital bills were reduced by his in-house services. Contracting with the doctor is much less expensive than the county having its own medical staff at the jail, Carson added.
The Ohio State Penitentiary opened in 1998 as a Level 5 institution, previously called high maximum security. The prison has 504 beds, the state said.
Also, the OSP has a Correctional Camp, which is a Level 1 institution, previously called minimum security.
Last October, the prisons department transferred the majority of its death row prisoners to the OSP.