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Published: 16 January 2014 16 January 2014

 At left, GRMC Board of Trustees Chairman Charles Kelly congratulates the new permanent GRMC Chief Executive Officer Brian Cunningham

The Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees held a special meeting at noon today. Brian Cunningham, who has been serving as interim chief executive officer for the past five months and some days, agreed to a contract to serve as permanent CEO

The purpose of the meeting was also to approve contracts between GRMC and Dr. Colicia Meyerowitz and Dr. James Skee to serve on the Medical Staff Bylaws CommitteeThe contract with Cunningham was signed after a brief executive session.

"We have been talking about a contract between GRMC and a new CEO," Charles Kelly, board chairman, said. "Brian (Cunningham) has shown himself to be a workaholic, and things are starting to move and improve.

"Welcome on a permanent basis," Kelly said to Cunningham. "We appreciate you, and we know good things are coming. We know you and your good team are ready to address whatever arises."

"Thanks, but I don't consider myself a workaholic," Cunningham said. "I consider myself a servaholic. I've been that way since my early days as a parking lot attendant.

"It takes a huge team to deal with the task ahead of us," he said. "I always give my best. I love to serve, and I will continue to do my best.

Kelly and Cunningham each signed the contract.

Board member Jeremiah Garcia said he appreciates the transparency of the team.

Board member Robert Morales, Sr., said an employee, just the other day, told him that Cunningham always stops and chats with anyone he sees.

"And I feel like I'm not doing enough," Cunningham said. "I want to do whatever I can."

Chief Operations Officer Dan Otero thanked Kelly and the board for their organizational skills.

"We'll give 120 percent every day," Otero said. "We're committed to working with Mr. Cunningham."

"No one knows everything," Kelly said. "I go after information from the knowledgeable people. We'll keep this very important hospital for the community going."

Kelly also announced that Cunningham agreed to a contract for $190,000 a year, which Kelly described as in the lower 5 percent of comparable hospitals with comparable income.

"He agreed, which is helpful to us," Kelly concluded.