Owensboro Health and Muhlenberg Community Hospital (MCH) announced today plans to bolster their relationship.
A long-term lease agreement was unanimously approved by the Muhlenberg Community Hospital Board of Trustees on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Under the terms of a 20-year lease and purchase agreement, all Muhlenberg Community Hospital facilities, equipment, providers and personnel will become part of Owensboro Health.
Owensboro Health President and CEO Philip Patterson said the move to lease Muhlenberg Community Hospital will benefit the residents of Muhlenberg and the surrounding counties. “While the current management agreement was an important first step, today’s announcement opens the door for an exciting new future for all of us. We’ll be working together as one team – 3,900 strong – and improving the health of the region together.”
This new arrangement means a larger network of providers, locations and services for patients to access. “Health care is facing dynamic changes that drive the economy, and impact all businesses and services. The need for smaller hospitals to partner with regional health systems is a growing reality for survival in today’s political and economic climate,” said Lanie Gardner, chair of Muhlenberg Community Hospital’s board.
Muhlenberg’s CEO Dr. Ed Heath added “Today is a great day for the future – the future of our community, our employees, but most of all – the future of the patients we serve. For almost 80 years, local families and neighbors have trusted Muhlenberg Community Hospital for their health care. Joining the Owensboro Health family will ensure stability, growth and opportunity so that future generations will have access to even better health care right here in Muhlenberg County.”
“We truly appreciate how important this hospital is to the community, the economy and the people who work here. Owensboro Health believes in this hospital, and we are committed to keeping it strong and vibrant for years to come,” Patterson said.
