Welcome to the Business Journal Archives
Search for articles below, or continue to the all new BusinessJournalDaily.com now.
Search
East Liverpool City Hospital to Merge with HMHP
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Humility of Mary Health Partners and River Valley Health Partners, which operates East Liverpool City Hospital in East Liverpool, have entered into “a letter of intent to fully integrate with one another,” officials announced late Thursday.
Pending regulatory approval and final acceptance of the terms, the merger is expected to occur this summer, officials said.
The announcement follows “an exhaustive search” by the board of trustees of River Valley Health Partners, according to the announcement.
“We have been looking diligently for a long-term organizational partner that will provide high quality health care to our community, needed financial stability, and health care leadership in times of great challenge. The reality is that RVHP will be able to serve more patients in more ways with HMHP by its side,” said Kenneth Cochran, RVHP president and CEO. “
River Valley Health Partners is a nonprofit corporation comprised of East Liverpool City Hospital, River Valley Physicians LLC, Ohio Valley Home Health Services Inc., American Community Services Inc. and Monroe Health Corp. Its flagship institution, East Liverpool City Hospital, provides general acute care hospital services.
The hospital opened in 1905. Said the chairman of RVHP’s board, Pete Wicks, in a prepared statement, “East Liverpool City Hospital and River Valley Health Partners have evolved countless times throughout the last 100-plus years. The board sees this partnership as the next exciting evolution in RVHP’s story.”
Bob Shroder, president and CEO of HMHP, said the “partnership supports our strategic effort to extend our reach in developing a network of health care services.”
HMHP is part of Catholic Health Partners, the largest health care system in Ohio.
“While RVHP does not have a religious sponsor, the mission, vision, and principles espoused by HMHP and CHP are absolutely consistent with RVHP’s core values,” said Wicks. “If operational changes are required during this transition -- whether for religious purposes or otherwise -- the board of trustees and administrators are committed to sharing and managing the changes as effectively as possible.”
Over the next several weeks, HMHP will work closely with RVHP administrators, board members, and medical staff members to “prepare a seamless transition,” stated the announcement.
As part of its decision to partner with HMHP, the RVHP board agreed to establish the RVHP Healthcare Foundation, which will focus on providing health care to the poor and underserved. This mission is consistent with HMHP’s mission to extend “the healing ministry of Jesus by improving the health of our communities with emphasis on people who are poor and underserved,” stated the announcement.
HMHP members include St. Elizabeth Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center, St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, HM Home Health Services, The Assumption Village, Humility House, and Hospice of the Valley.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our twice-monthly print edition and to our free daily email.