Hilo Regional Medical Center reports small May surplus, awards imaging capital plan

Mr. Whitaker, CEO of Hilo Regional Medical Center, presented the hospital's May operational and financial report to the Grant County Commission, saying the facility recorded 10,200,000 in operating revenue and 10,300,000 in operating expenses for the month and an adjusted monthly surplus of 570,000.

The report said year-to-date adjusted surplus was around $4,200,000 and that the hospital currently holds roughly 229 days of cash on hand. Whitaker told commissioners the board approved the operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, and that the capital plan totals about $9.3 million, with roughly $6.4 million earmarked for imaging upgrades including replacement radiology equipment and bringing a PET/CT scanner in-house.

"We are fully accredited with The Joint Commission and CMS," Whitaker said, noting the hospital will continue regular accreditation readiness and expects another survey in three years. He also reported the hospital's emergency department has a new physician group beginning July 1; he said all current ER physicians are emergency medicine board certified.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about cash management and staffing. Whitaker described part of the county hospital's cash placement practice (moving a portion into LGIP) and stood for additional questions after his presentation.

The commission did not take any formal action on the report; Whitaker's presentation was accepted and commissioners moved on to other agenda items.