Several officials with LifePoint Health, Fleming County Hospital and community leaders gathered at Fleming County Hospital on Thursday (August 20) to celebrate the acquisition of the hospital by LifePoint Health.
The acquisition of Fleming County Hospital by LifePoint Health was officially announced Aug. 3.
The terms of the acquisition included LifePoint Health making capital investments in the future growth of the hospital, working to enhance and expand the hospital services to meet evolving healthcare needs, hiring all active FCH employees and foster collaborative physician relationships, continuing the hospital's charity care policies and ensuring an ongoing local voice in the governance of the hospital.
Fleming County Hospital Interim Chief Executive Officer Michael Clark told guests he was pleased with the acquisition that would "pave the way for future success" of the hospital.
"We look forward to your ongoing support and partnering with you over the future," Clark said.
Fleming County Hospital Board Chairman Tony McGlone expressed similar sentiments.
According to McGlone, the board began looking for a partner for the hospital in July 2014.
"Over the past year, there was an extensive process and due diligence the board overtook for the responsibility of something that would fit and work for the board, the hospital and the community. We want someone who could especially keep the presence of the hospital in our community and not only be able to maintain the services we're blessed with now, but to come in with resources to expand within our community. We also wanted to be able to protect the jobs for our friends and families and everyone at the hospital. As the search went on, it became very obvious that LifePoint was the partner for us. That's what we're celebrating today," McGlone said.
McGlone said LifePoint has agreed to hire the same staff and will also become a taxpayer within the county.
"At this point, they do become a tax paying entity in the county, so this benefits a lot more individuals than just the collective inside the hospital."
LifePoint Health Central Group President Scott Raplee told the guests that LifePoint Health will always answer any questions about the hospital.
"If there are any questions you have now, you can always reach out to us and we will find the answers for you," he said. "I am now working with 10 other hospitals in Kentucky. There are over 65 hospitals in 20 states across the country. What that brings is a tremendous amount of resources and expertise that we can provide."
The acquisition came about after the hospital began facing financial difficulties. Those difficulties arose after the new building was constructed for $38 million in 2008, according to Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy.
In 2013, Foxworthy said the hospital, which has 54 beds, was only filling between 12 to 15 of those beds. It was also operating on an estimated loss of $1.2 million a year.
When the acquisition was announced, Foxworthy said he was pleased to hear the news.
"I'm elated at the completion of this transaction," he said earlier in August. "It happened because of a lot of good people and we're all very excited. I've heard good things about LifePoint Health and they have a lot of plans for the hospital. I look forward to a long-lasting working relationship with LifePoint."
Before the acquisition, FCH was operating as a district hospital, meaning it was not owned or operated by Fleming County. It was one of very few in Kentucky operating in that manner.
The Ledger Independent is online at: http://www.maysville-online.com