BHS seeks ‘new direction’ for two hospitals

Almost two years ago, Baptist Health System (BHS) of Birmingham decided to restructure its system of 10 hospitals and assorted nursing home, senior housing and sports facilities instead of selling the system.
   
In the years since, BHS has done much toward the restructuring plan, including selling some facilities and entering into talks about others.
   
Its board of trustees also adopted a new vision statement that says: “Inspired by the vision of our founders, with our physician partners and associates, Baptist Health System will transform its structures and services to create excellence as a faith-based, community-focused health care system.”
   
In pursuit of fulfilling that vision, CEO Beth O’Brien released a statement May 19 by e-mail announcing the decision to focus BHS’ efforts on its Birmingham-area hospitals. 
   
BHS has begun seeking a “new direction for Citizens Baptist and DeKalb Baptist medical centers apart from BHS,” O’Brien said in the statement.
   
In a press release sent the same day, BHS announced it had entered into talks with the Citizens Hospital Association (CHA) related to the reacquisition of Talladega’s Citizens Baptist, Citizens Home Care and Citizens SportsFirst Center by CHA.
   
BHS is still seeking the best solution for DeKalb Baptist, located in Fort Payne. O’Brien stressed in the statement that BHS was working in collaboration with both hospitals to “ensure that the appropriate strategic direction … is achieved, ensuring that the health-care needs of these communities are served.” No timetable has been set as to a final decision on the direction for the two hospitals.
   
During BHS’ process of restructuring, the system has sold one retirement community — Galleria Woods — and its long-term nursing-care facilities. The system downsized, eliminating 350 positions, and announced plans to cut ties with the hospitals in Sylacauga, Moulton and Centre.
   
It also formed a partnership with  the Health Care Authority of Cullman County regarding the operation of  Cullman Regional Medical Center.
   
The system focused on improvements as well, spending $20 million to upgrade obstetrics facilities at Montclair Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham and Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper, as well as moving to open a heart unit at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster.
   
Most recently, BHS announced a joint partnership with Triad Hospitals that would result in the opening of a replacement facility for Montclair. Ownership and the location of the new for-profit hospital are yet to be determined.
   
“The new hospital structure — solidified by $103 million in capital projects at Princeton Baptist (in Birmingham), Shelby Baptist and Walker Baptist,” along with the Montclair partnership, “will focus (BHS) as we move forward in meeting both our mission and vision,” O’Brien said in the statement. (TAB)