VALENTINE, Neb. - Cherry County commissioners say they’re encouraged by the direction Cherry County Hospital is heading, following a budget update from CEO Jim Bargen. Commissioners approved the hospital’s fiscal year 2026 budget, which projects a slim but positive operating margin of 0.16%. That’s an improvement from last year’s -6.13%.

“We’re moving in the right direction, even if it might not look like a dramatic shift just yet,” Bargen told commissioners. “I just want to be realistic.”

Still, commissioners praised the progress.

“You went from a negative to a positive—that’s a substantial gain in your first year,” said Commissioner Mike McConaughey.

Bargen stepped into the role last year following a period of turnover in hospital leadership.

“It looks like you’re working on turning things around after heading in the wrong direction a few years ago,” said Commissioner Martin DeNaeyer.

During the meeting, Bargen also told commissioners that two open leadership positions were recently filled and another one would be filled in July. The hospital administration has also interviewed three general surgeon candidates with one starting part-time in May.

“We’re also negotiating with another surgeon who could be full-time maybe by the end of the summer,” said Bargen.

Over the past week, the hospital began offering speech pathology services and is now collaborating with 18 other independent rural hospitals to form a network aimed at securing better contracts and pricing. Bargen also said the hospital is actively recruiting nurses and has been interviewing candidates for both lab and radiology tech positions.

“I think you’ve done a wonderful job getting the hospital back on track and securing finances,” said commissioner Nina Nelson.