The Hamilton General Hospital board of directors held their first regular meeting in the board room of the new hospital last Friday at noon. Board members present for the meeting were Neil Muxworthy, Bill Craig, Bryan Lightfoot and Doug Forrest. Robert Witzsche was absent.
Russell Nebhut, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, gave a presentation regarding CareNet of Hamilton County.

He said the program is being formed for the purpose of providing assistance for women faced with an unexpected pregnancy.

“We’re trying to provide a good option and resources people need when they’re scared,” Nebhut explained.

He said pastors would serve in an advisory capacity but not on the board. Nebhut also stated that it is his hope that the organization will be operational within 60 to 90 days.

CareNet is not associated with Planned Parenthood.
He said the organization has received an endowment that will pay for utilities and rent and a number of citizens have agreed to be trained as counselor volunteers.

Nebhut requested that the board consider allowing CareNet to rent a building that has been purchased by the hospital.

Chief Financial Officer Jason Horton presented financial reports for the months of November and December. The hospital showed a net income of $112,096 for November and $232,762 for December.

Horton said the Rural Health Clinic was very busy during both months with 1,400 visits in November and 1,600 visits in December.

According to Horton’s statistics, there were 150 hospital admissions in November, 309 emergency room visits and the average daily census was 14.

December’s hospital statistics showed 167 hospital admissions, 375 emergency room visits and an average daily census of 18.

In his report to the board, Hospital Administrator James R. Shafer said 21 patients moved from the old to the new facility on Jan. 12. He said that since that day, the hospital has had as many as 28 patients, the most ever hospitalized at Hamilton General.

Shafer said he was extremely pleased with the new facility’s open house. He said there have been no big problems with the new building and the contractors are finishing small items on the punch list.

He said that demolition of the old hospital building will begin soon and the parking lot should be finished by the beginning of May. The entire facility will be dedicated by the end of May.