Baptist Memorial Health Care, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee and Mississippi Baptist Health Systems of Jackson, Mississippi announced Monday the completion of a merger between the two groups, creating the largest hospital system in the state, and one of the largest not-for-profit health care systems in the nation.
Baptist Memorial with 17 hospitals in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, and Mississippi Baptist with four hospitals in Mississippi, began discussing the possibility of merging in September 2016.
“This merger will have a significant impact on health care and our communities,” said Jason Little, president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care. “By combining our resources, we can invest more heavily in our team members, facilities and equipment, which will result in greater access to new technologies, best practices and medical specialists. Ultimately, this merger is about elevating and expanding the care we provide to our communities in Mississippi and beyond.”
Baptist Memorial’s Baptist OneCare electronic health record system, which is powered by Epic, is being installed in Mississippi Baptist hospitals and clinics.
“Everyone in the communities we serve will benefit from our alignment with an organization that shares our commitment to both Christian values and quality health care,” said Chris Anderson, president and CEO of Mississippi Baptist Health Systems. “Importantly, our ability to be competitive in a health care environment that is increasingly complex, competitive and challenging will be significantly enhanced. Now, as part of Baptist Memorial, with shared knowledge, access to Baptist OneCare and the many additional resources available, we will become even stronger and better equipped to provide high quality services for many years to come.”
Both of the hospital systems have been part of the Mississippi Hospital Association for some time, and MHA President Timothy Moore says the merger is a boost for health care in Mississippi.
“It’s a positive thing,” said Moore. “And I think you’ll see more of these partnerships develop. Maybe not one with this type of investment, but more healthcare alliances.”
The investment Moore speaks of is the newest $300 million dollar Baptist hospital, set to open in Oxford later this year.
The Baptist system employs more than 15,000 people, and in fiscal year 2013, contributed $239 million in community benefit to areas it serves. According to the Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Memphis, Baptist Memorial Health Care’s annual economic impact is estimated at more than $2.6 billion.
