Baptist Health moves to sell north Alabama hospitals

Baptist Health System (BHS) recently took steps to further concentrate its work within central Alabama.
   
The Birmingham-based organization announced Jan. 19 that it had signed a letter of intent to sell two hospitals to a subsidiary of Community Health Systems (CHS), based in Brentwood, Tenn.
   
The transaction to sell Cherokee Baptist Medical Center in Centre and DeKalb Baptist Medical Center in Fort Payne to CHS should be finalized by the end of March, according to Ross Mitchell, vice president of marketing, planning and government relations for BHS. 
   
Mitchell also noted that the Sports First facility at DeKalb Baptist is part of that hospital, so it is uncertain if that facility will continue to operate under the name Sports First.
   
The sale continues the restructuring process begun by BHS in 2003, he said. “This helps us to continue to focus the health-care ministry of the hospitals to the greater-Birmingham area,” Mitchell said. 
   
Wayne Pate, chairman of the BHS board of trustees, said BHS is pleased with the agreement.
   
“Baptist Health System has been steadfastly committed to ensuring that DeKalb Baptist and Cherokee Baptist patients receive high-quality, accessible health care,” he said. “We are confident that this transaction will mean continued high-quality care for both of these communities.”
   
In recent months, BHS finalized the sale of its 50 percent interest in the Cullman Regional Medical Center to the Healthcare Authority of Cullman County. It also completed a master site-plan development at Citizens Baptist Medical Center in Talladega.
   
The joint venture between BHS and Triad Hospitals Inc. further developed as the two signed a definitive agreement in October 2005 to open a replacement facility for Montclair Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham. 
   
The letter of intent was executed April 12, 2005. Mitchell noted that BHS currently holds 35 percent ownership in the venture. 
   
Options for the new Montclair site are still under consideration, according to Leisha Harris, interim marketing director for Montclair.
   
BHS also owns Princeton Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham, Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster and Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper. (TAB)