Less than a year after the death of Chinatown powerhouse Rose Pak, San Francisco’s Chinese Hospital, which was largely rebuilt on the strength of Pak’s political prowess and ability to raise millions of dollars, is facing a troubling and uncertain future.

The Jackson Street hospital, which also operates a half-dozen clinics in San Francisco and Daly City, has financial troubles, its longtime chief executive is preparing to exit, and it is the subject of at least two independent investigations.

The 92-year-old institution’s financial troubles come just a year after the opening of its new $180 million building. Hospital officials had hoped the eight-story tower would ease crowding and attract more patients to the nonprofit.

Since its opening in April 2016, the 52-bed hospital, which blends Chinese culture with modern medicine, has operated at only about a third of its capacity, hospital records show.

As a result, it is hemorrhaging money.

Chief Executive Officer Brenda Yee put the losses last year at $8.3 million, but the board minutes from May show auditors reported a net operating loss of $17.4 million for 2016.

Yee blames the low patient count on “reduced support from the community physicians,” whose association has been in a bitter contract dispute with the hospital over its services and insurance reimbursement rates.

The doctors blame the hospital for cutting them out of a long-standing profit-sharing arrangement that was an incentive for sending patients there.

“It makes no sense to not contract with three-quarters of the doctors in the Chinese community,” said Chinese Community Health Care Association medical director Dr. Joseph Woo, the hospital’s former chief of staff.

Both a lack of patients and a lack of money have kept the new hospital from opening a nine-bed overflow wing, as well as a planned 23-bed skilled nursing unit.

Despite the losses, Yee said the hospital was $1.2 million in the black for the first half of this year, and that “there is no danger of closing its doors.”

A lack of patients, however, is just one of the problems.

The governing board is in turmoil, and whistle-blower complaints over contracting and hiring practices have led to investigations by both the San Francisco district attorney and the California attorney general — though neither of those offices would discuss the inquiries.

In an email, Yee, who doubles as head of the hospital’s health care plan, said she could not comment “on any inquiry from the attorney general” because it is “confidential.”

Yee said she had “no knowledge” of the district attorney’s investigation.

Dr. Eric Leung, president of the 197-member Chinese doctors association, which is fighting with the hospital over fees, said he had been contacted by district attorney investigators on a wide range of issues involving the hospital.

A law enforcement source also confirmed the district attorney’s investigation.

Meanwhile, hospital critics are shining the spotlight on Yee’s compensation, which thanks to her dual role as CEO and health plan head totaled $1.15 million a year in pay and benefits, according to the hospital’s 2015 federal tax filings.

Yee said her salary package was determined by a committee of board members.

“I do not write paychecks to myself,” she said.

There have also been allegations that Yee hired her daughter, for a low-level office job, and at least two other relatives or family friends.

“My daughter applied for her position through Human Resources, as did her friend, and went through the same hiring process as every other employee,” said Yee, adding that she had no input in their hiring.

The hospital’s troubles come amid a backdrop of rising tensions over its leadership that have pitted Yee and hospital board President James Ho (a personal friend and traveling companion of Mayor Ed Lee’s) against a number of the hospital’s 16 community-based board members who say they have been kept in the dark about key financial decisions.

Ho did not return calls for comment.

But Leung said “it’s been a harrowing and heartbreaking two years, because we all looked forward to the grand opening of this wonderful facility.”

The tower was the pet project of activist Pak, who tirelessly sought money from all corners of the city, often tapping developers and others doing business with the city for contributions in the tens of thousands.

The hospital is preparing to host its annual golf tournament fundraiser next Monday at the Olympic Club — an event that Pak, as head of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce — also used over the years to raise millions of dollars for the hospital’s construction. Lee and a number of deep-pocket donors have regularly attended the tournament.

But the hospital’s staff fundraiser resigned just weeks ago, raising questions about this year’s tournament.

As for the 61-year-old Yee, she too is about to exit.

“I do plan to retire, as I am coming upon retirement age,” she said. “It might be after the golf tournament, or it might be sooner.”

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross