The Russell County Hospital Board meeting this month began with a presentation on the new Senior Life Solutions program and was highlighted, along with figures comparing last year's operational loss to this year's profit.

"Compared to last year's seven month year-to-date performance of an operational loss of $542,657, for the most recent seven month period, we're seeing a positive profit from operations of over $415,000," said Ken Kimsal, the hospital's financial officer.

Picking up on that interim CEO George Walz noted that was about a million-dollar improvement from last year.

The hospital outperformed budgets in both inpatient and outpatient figures for the first month of 2009.

Kimsal did sound a warning note; telling the board that his figures were indicating that the hospital's reimbursement was higher than it should be.

"We're providing for that as we go along," Kimsal added saying that the hospital would be ready when Medicaid officials asked for that money back.

Members of the administration as well as the staff praised the new fluoroscopy and CT scanners, saying that they were functioning well and would add to the services and the bottom line at the hospital.

Another bottom-line boost is expected from the Senior Life Solutions program.

Mary Lynn Bailey explained that the new program is for treatment of depression and anxiety in patients over 65-years-old.

She said the program will be a combination of group and private sessions over 2 to 2 and a 1/2  months and is available through referral from a patient's physician.

She said the program is ready to get underway and an open house is expected March 6th.

Alliant Management's Jeff Buckley said the search for a new hospital chief executive officer is well underway, with over 80 applications coming in.

Buckley said they are focusing their search for candidates with significant experience, especially in the areas of medical staff recruitment and relations, as well as another qualification.

"We need someone with experience handling a major construction program," Buckley said.

He did not say when the prospective CEOs would be presented for board review.