Olney Hospital preps for new building

Olney Hamilton Hospital showed a net profit for the first nine months of 2022 and is shaping up its balance sheet ahead of a search for financing for a new hospital plant to replace the 60-year-old existing building, OHH Administrator Mike Huff told the OHH Board of Directors at their Jan. 27 meeting. The hospital showed year-to-date net income of $800,000 at a time when many rural hospitals are struggling, Mr. Huff said. The hospital’s debt is trending up over 2021, with $6 million on the books compared to $4 million, board member Lonnie Rue said. “That may be a challenge we have to overcome,” he said. The hospital also took delivery of a new ambulance, the second purchased with help from federal emergency funding related to the COVID pandemic, he said. Dr. Mark Mankins told the board that an experienced orthopedic surgeon is talking to the hospital about performing minor orthopedic procedures such as carpal tunnel releases. The hospital also approved three new temporary physicians, he said. The medical staff ordered two new scopes for endoscopies and colonoscopies, Mr. Huff said. Lastly, four board members are up for re-election in the May 6 hospital board election. They are Lonnie Rue, Dale Lovett, Jeremy Johnson and David Lund. If no challengers file by the Feb. 17 deadline, the board will cancel the election, Mr. Huff said.