Not-for- profit acquires hospital

By Rupert Howell
Merit Health Batesville has been sold along with three other Community Health Systems, Inc. hospitals, to Curae Health, a not-for-profit health system formed to address the needs of rural healthcare, according to news releases from both agencies Thursday afternoon.
The company specializes in operating small to medium sized sole community providers according to Merit Health’s current CEO Travis Sisson, stating in a news release, “. . .Leaders of Curae Health are experienced in working with physicians to operate and strengthen hospitals in rural communities and they will help us sustain and grow our position as a vital part of Panola County.”
Sisson is expected to remain at the Batesville facility according to one source who did not want to be named.
The three additional hospitals named in the sale with Batesville’s 112-bed Merit Health are: 95-bed Merit Health in Amory; 181-bed Merit Health in Clarksdale and 126-bed Highland Medical Center in Sebring, Fla.
The purchase agreement includes a commitment for Curae Health to offer employment to all active employees in good standing when the transaction is complete according to the news release which also says the deal will likely be completed during the fourth quarter of this year.
The release also states, “Priviliges will continue for all physicians in good standing on the medical staffs.”
“Curae Health was founded to strengthen rural hospitals and improve the healthcare available in rural communities,” said Stephen Clapp, chief executive officer of Curae Health. “We look forward to building our organization with the addition of these four hospitals. Together, we have great opportunities to improve in care and service.”