Haywood County commissioners will start interviewing the almost 37 candidates that have applied for a position on the board of Haywood Regional Medical Center on April 28. Commissioners have prepared a list of five questions that candidates will answer and bring to their interview.

• Do you have the time which will be required of the hospital board during the next three critical years?

• What specific qualifications would you bring to the hospital board and what might set you apart from other applicants? Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick suggested looking for applicants who can “hit the ground running,” with a knowledge of financing and medical procedures and terms. “That’s very important right now because of the learning curve on the board,” said Kirkpatrick.

• What do you think the search committee should be looking for in a new hospital administrator?

• Would you be willing to support the rewriting of the hospital board’s bylaws to be sure they permit the board’s freedom to conduct business while adhering to state statutes?

Applicants will have to answer the following hypothetical scenario: The CEO of the hospital brings you a glowing report on how well the hospital is working. You are the only board member who disagrees with this report. How would you handle the situation?