The Jennie Stuart Health Board of Trustees is inviting the community to attend an information session next week and have expressed some thoughts about a possible merger with Deaconess Health.
In a letter penned by Board Chair Leslie Carroll, she states that the Board of Trustees are guided by duty to support the health system’s critical role in the community, saying they are stewards of a cherished asset that both ensured the health of the community and served as an anchor of the local economy for more than a century. She says it is a responsibility that they do not take lightly.
Over the last year, she states that the board has considered a thorough list of potential partnerships and other strategic possibilities that could create a strong future for Jennie Stuart. As recent as last week, S&P Global—a research firm—published a report on the health system, and the report made it clear that Jennie Stuart maintains a stable operating performance. That said, it also detailed financial limitations facing the hospital system, including historical elevated expenses.
It was determined that Deaconess is an ideal partner, according to Carroll, given their aligned mission of providing high-quality, community focused care. They would also be able to provide resources to gain access to an electronic health record system.
The Board is inviting the community to an informational session set for Wednesday, October 30 at 6 p.m. in the Cotthoff Learning Center at Jennie Stuart Medical Center. Community members will be able to gain information while the Board communicates why they believe the merger is the best path forward.
View the letter in full below: