OTHELLO - Connie Agenbroad was hired as the permanent chief executive officer at Othello Community Hospital.

Board members voted to hire Agenbroad for the permanent job at their recent meeting. She had been working as the interim CEO since July 1, when she replaced Harry Geller.

Agenbroad said the contract is for one year, with the option to renew. Her salary will be $116,646.

In other business, Chief Financial Officer Mark Bunch reported a large write-off of bad debt and charity care caused an operating loss in November, although the hospital is showing a profit for the year to date. The hospital's bad debt was $276,900.21 in November and charity care was $61,397.83.

Agenbroad said the hospital lost $110,888 in November, but had a year to date profit of $978,790.

The Othello Community Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor a fundraising brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Othello Senior Center. The money raised will be used to pay for projects at the hospital, Agenbroad said.

Shirley McCall was elected as board president, Linda Bowers as vice-president and Bob Carlson as secretary.

Medical records supervisor Stephani Lind reported on the hospital's new "My Record" system, which provides online access to some medical records for patients. Lind said hospital officials are planning some community events to publicize the service and show patients how to use it.