OHH Foundation holds annual meeting, sees hospital plans

The Olney Hamilton Hospital Foundation donated $75,000 to help pay for 2023 expenses and discussed how and when to hold a capital fund drive to pay for new medical equipment and furniture for the new hospital at the Foundation’s annual meeting.

The Foundation board of directors also welcomed a new member, Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch who replaces the late Bill Price.

The Foundation board met with OHH Board President Dale Lovett and OHH administrator Michael Huff on April 16. OHH Auxiliary President Nita Hearn also gave a report about the hospital gift shop and the activities of hospital volunteers. The Auxiliary reported gaining five new volunteers.

Mark McClelland, vice president, reported that the Foundation’s investments rose in 2023 to $2.3 million. The board voted to spend $75,000 to help the hospital administration pay for a house and other equipment it purchased in 2023. The house will be demolished to make way for the new hospital.

The board also heard a presentation by David Lilley, chief executive of Trinity Hughes Construction, and Guide Architecture chief executive Mark Criswell about the progress of the hospital plans since voters overwhelmingly approved a $33 million bond issue in November.

Mr. Lilley showed the board a tentative

floor plan for the two-story structure, cautioning that the firm is still taking input from OHH staff.

Mr. Criswell walked the board through the floor plan and took questions about the layout.

He said construction will begin no earlier than Jan. 1, 2025 with hospital construction expected to last about 18 months.

The board then discussed the status of the Plug Power hydrogen plant in Graham, whose tax revenue will fund an additional $6 million in general obligation bonds if OHH chooses to issue more than the $27 million it has realized from the sale.

The Plug Power project in Graham stalled for several months last year while the company recapitalized itself with a $1.6 billion government grant and loans.

It has since recommenced construction on the plant site near Graham.

The hospital administrators noted that the new facility will need about $1 million worth of medical equipment, furniture and other items not covered by the general obligation bond funds.

The Foundation

board discussed with Mr. Huff and Mr. Lovett how and when to hold that fundraising campaign.

The OHH Foundation was created in 1997 to perform charitable activities for the exclusive use, benefit and support of Olney Hamilton Hospital. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised two million dollars to support the hospital. The Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years for equipment and patient care related items.