Phelps Health and Salem Memorial Hospital (SMH) are continuing to take steps towards affiliation, with teams from both organizations working diligently through the process. Following the due diligence phase, the two organizations are working through the findings and determining how those findings might impact next steps.
“As with any major collaboration, this process can take quite a bit of time,” Jason Shenefield, Phelps Health CEO, said. “Transactions of this nature are inherently complex.”
According to Brooke Bollman, SMH CEO, teams from Phelps Health and SMH are currently reviewing legal documents. “Healthcare is a highly regulated industry so we must take the utmost care throughout the negotiation process.”
Because both organizations need to be satisfied with the outcome, determining a timeline for implementation continues to be difficult.
“Steady progress is being made,” Shenefield said. “Representatives from Phelps Health and SMH are working closely together and moving as quickly as possible.”
In the meantime, both teams remain focused on doing what’s best for our communities. “We are committed to ensuring that our region continues to have long-term access to top-quality healthcare,” Bollman said.
Phelps Health serves over 200,000 residents in south-central Missouri. Phelps Health is county-owned, non-tax supported and overseen by a five-member elected board. Phelps Health employs more than 1,900 people, including 100-plus providers. Phelps Health, which includes a hospital licensed for 240 patient beds, serves a six-county area, with its main campus and
several clinics in Rolla, Missouri. Phelps Health also has clinics in Salem, St. James, Vienna and Waynesville, Missouri. For more information, visit phelpshealth.org.
About Salem Memorial Hospital
Salem Memorial Hospital (SMH) is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital located in Salem, Missouri, in the heart of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. SMH offers the following services: a rural health clinic, an emergency room with a Level 4 Stroke and STEMI Center, an 18-bed long-term care facility, an ambulance service, and an Air-Evac Life team on site. SMH employs more than 200 people and proudly serves Dent County and a portion of Shannon, Crawford and Iron counties. For more information, visit smdh.net
