Hilton Head Hospital trustee discusses hospital finance. Interview by Karen Gardner.

Hilton Head Hospital, a 64-bed acute care hospital in Hilton Head Island, SC, was built in 1975. During its early years, the hospital struggled to meet its payroll. For the last few years, the hospital's operating margin has been so healthy that this small, general hospital is now able to contribute substantially to maintaining its sophisticated services and equipment. As vice-chairman of the hospital's board of trustees, vice-chairman of the hospital's parent corporation, and chairman of the hospital's foundation, Frederick S. Donnelly, Jr., is well aware of the governing boards' decisions that have contributed to Hilton Head Hospital's financial turnaround. He recently talked with Trustee managing editor Karen Gardner about the hospital's finances.