Although Pocahontas Memorial Hospitalﾒs board of directors has been searching for an administrator to replace Don Muhlenthaler, who retires in August, it declined to decide between the candidates it interviewed this spring.

Instead, the board voted to pursue a year-long contract with Calhoun Countyﾒs Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center. At its May meeting, the board decided to seek a $50,000 grant to fund an investigation of the hospitalﾒs financial options. Collaboration with MHHCC was one of those options that also included continuing to operate autonomously and aligning with a larger hospital.

According to a media release, PMH has ﾓinterviewed several qualified candidates for the CEO position; however, they are uncertain of hiring a new CEO with the feasibility study in progress and the future status of PMH hanging in the balance.ﾔ

The release said MHHCCﾒs management team is willing to enter into a management contract with PMH to act as interim CEO until the feasibility study is complete and ﾓthe future of PMH is determined.ﾔ

PMHﾒs board intends to have either Barbara Lay, CEO of MHHCC, or her chief operating officer, Steve Whited, on site at PMH acting as the CEO, according to the release. Dr. Robert Must told commissioners Tuesday that PMH will pay Minnie Hamilton Health Care $8,000 a monthor $96,000 annually. The contract has a 90-day out clause for both parties.

If the board decides to collaborate with MHHCC at the end of its feasibility study, a CEO position will not be necessary at PMH; however, ﾓan on-site administrator will be engaged to manage the day-to-day operations.ﾔ

The hospital board meets again in regular session June 29 in the hospitalﾒs conference room at 5:30 p.m.