After around a year since the plans were announced, Jennie Stuart Health officially became a part of the Deaconess Health System on October 1, and on Monday morning, leaders and staff from both organizations celebrated the merger.
While celebrating the occasion, leaders shared how the merger is set to strengthen healthcare in western Kentucky. In September 2024, Jennie Stuart Health’s Board of Trustees signed a non-binding letter of intent to merge with Deaconess and started a due diligence process to finalize an agreement to join the two healthcare systems.
The merger has allowed Jennie Stuart to acquire the Epic Medical Records System which the hospital would not have been able to independently obtain because of the cost. Deaconess invested around $95 million into Jennie Stuart for the health records system. The system allows patients to see test results, schedule appointments, schedule appointments and pay any bills.
At the celebration, Deaconess CEO Shawn McCoy says it’s their goal to honor Jennie Stuart’s history, but says the merger signifies a new chapter for the hospital. In this chapter, McCoy says he hopes those in the region can be treated locally and not have to travel to Nashville or Evansville.
The merger comes at a time where rural hospitals are facing challenges concerning staff shortages, increased costs and Medicaid and Medicare complications. Kentucky is home to around 130 hospitals and nearly 47% of those institutions are considered rural.
Jennie Stuart President and CAO Eric Lee says the merger gives the hospital new tools and opportunities that will allow them to recruit more providers, expand specialty care and invest in new technology.
Leslie Carroll the, Chair of the Jennie Stuart Health Board of Trustees, says she and her fellow board members are responsible for protecting the future of the hospital and the health of the region and the merger allows them to do just that.
Going forward, McCoy says officials from both health systems are set to form short-term and long-term plans exploring what services they would like to bring to Jennie Stuart. McCoy says he believes the hospital would benefit from a Cath lab which would allow physicians to examine and perform minimally invasive cardiological procedures.
Along with plans to expand the hospital’s healthcare, Jennie Stuart’s Board of Trustees is set to include two Deaconess representatives bringing the total number of members to 15.
