MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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July 1, 2012

Hospitals move to merge functions

Transition to take up to two months

By Wendy Burton Phoenix Staff Writer

— Officials with two of Muskogee's hospitals said the next 30 to 60 days will be a transition period for the newly merged facilities.

Capella Healthcare Inc. took over operations at Muskogee Community Hospital effective Sunday, but no definitive plans for how Muskogee Regional Medical Center and MCH will operate have been released.

During the transition time, a transition team will work closely with physicians and staff members to determine the smartest ways to integrate care and to determine which services will be offered at each campus, according to a media release.

“The goal of this collaboration is to be able to better meet the health care needs of Muskogee and the surrounding communities as we respond to the call for closer collaboration between providers under health care reform,” said Dan Slipkovich, the chief executive officer of Capella Healthcare, in the media release. “By working together, we can improve access to health care for our community as well as enhance quality and efficiency of care.”

Capella Healthcare, which began a 40-year lease of MRMC in 2007, announced in July 2011 that the two hospitals were discussing a possible partnership.

MCH, a physician-owned and -operated hospital licensed for 45 beds, opened in 2009. Both hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission.

In March, Capella Healthcare acquired Muskogee Radiation Therapy Associates, a free-standing cancer center on the campus of MCH.

Capella announced in May that the two hospitals had signed an agreement for a long-term lease of MCH.

“This partnership will allow us to enhance existing services and eventually attract new services for the region we serve,” said Kevin Fowler, the chief executive officer of Muskogee Regional Medical Center, in the media release. He will become the CEO for the new system.

“By combining the operations of these two facilities, we will be in a better position to serve the community and to attract patients who otherwise are leaving Muskogee for care,” Fowler said.

”We are driven by one goal above all others – to build the strongest possible health care system that puts quality patient care first.”

MCH President Mark Roberts did not release a statement, and the media release did not say what, if any, role he would have with the hospital. Roberts was unable to be reached Sunday.

Reach Wendy Burton at (918) 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.

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