By Rupert Howell

Those attending a ceremonial ribbon cutting introducing “The New” Tri-Lakes Medical Center Wednesday afternoon heard promises of improvement over services offered in the past with improved practices and additional services.

The local medical facility had entered bankruptcy approximately three years ago before emerging six weeks ago with Alliance Health Partners as the new owner.

New chief of staff Dr. William Haire told the 350 in attendance, “Your hospital is the real deal… Give us a try? We want to make you happy. We have no idea of failing and with community support we will succeed.”

Haire is one of six physicians who formed Alliance Health Partners.

Dr. Mike Havens, also a member of Alliance Health Partners, was praised by both Haire and Administrator Dr. Greg Cantrell for his untiring efforts after spending long hours and days at the facility during the transition. Havens has moved his clinic to the hospital while working as  hospitalist along with another Alliance partner, Dr. Ramon Rosenkrans.

Havens used the opportunity to ask the crowd to contact their congressional delegation and urge them to reject proposed health care legislation in its current form and then told the crowd, “We have a unique opportunity to offer healthcare for our citizens better than anywhere else…

“We are not all things to all people but we will do the best job we can and you will be proud of the care you are given at your local hospital,” Havens added.

The ribbon was cut with background music of Rascal Flats singing “My Wish” and Cantrell promising that the facility: will be the center of all healthcare needs to Panola County, will provide immediate care for all life threatening emergencies through an emergency room that can be counted on, will provide competent healthcare administered by local physicians and staff, and will manage each day in the best interest of patients.

Haire said during his remarks, “This hospital will ensure exceptional patient care and recruit and retain more specialized physicians as well as young primary care physicians.”

Drs. Haire, Havens and Cantrell said they would work to reverse previous negative public opinion about the facility and restore trust at Tri-Lakes.

Also on the podium were partners Drs. Lee Linder, and Ramon Rosenkrans. Other partners include Drs. Tom Crowson and R.C. Purohit.

Ribbon cutting festivities were followed by a reception and then a job fair that drew approximately 400 applicants according to a hospital spokesperson.