SYLACAUGA It's official. Sylacauga Health Care Authority has reached a final agreement to reacquire the medical center and other facilities from Baptist Health System.The announcement was made Monday that the two had reached an agreement on the reacquisition of Baptist Coosa Valley Medical Center, Baptist Coosa Valley Nursing Facility, Baptist Coosa Valley Ambulatory Care Center, Baptist Coosa Valley Home Care Services and Coosa Valley Fitness and Wellness Center. All of these facilities are in Sylacauga.
The Sylacauga Health Care Authority also acquired Childersburg Family Practice Center and certain related assets in the agreement.
The facilities will be known as Coosa Valley Medical Center, Coosa Valley Home Care, Coosa Valley Sports Medicine, Coosa Valley Fitness and Wellness and Coosa Valley Nursing Home, said John Floyd, chairman of the board of directors of the authority. A new logo has already been created for the facilities.
The reacquisition was effective at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. Terms of the transaction are confidential, according to the agreement between the parties.
"The Sylacauga Health Care Authority is pleased that a satisfactory agreement was reached on the future of Coosa Valley Medical Center, Floyd said. We want to assure patients and their families that there will be no interruption of patient care services. The authority is looking forward to expanding services for the citizens of our community and working with the employees and medical staff at our hospital."
Aubrey Miller, interim chairman of Baptist Health System's Board of Trustees, said the health system and authority have enjoyed a positive working relationship.
"We are proud of our health ministry that has benefited the community. We believe this transition to a new direction for the facilities there is the right decision for all," Miller said.
Beth O'Brien, president and CEO for Baptist Health System, wished the authority success as it begins a new era of health care in Sylacauga.
Baptist Health System purchased the Sylacauga facilities nearly 10 years ago.
Glenn Sisk, president of Baptist Coosa Valley, and other senior hospital executives have agreed to continue to work for the authority at Coosa Valley Medical Center.
Sisk becomes chief executive officer for the hospital; Amy Rye remains as vice president of patient care services; Mike Ward as vice president of finance; Charles Woosley as vice president of ancillary services; Vanessa Green as vice president of geriatrics and continuum management; and Christy Knowles as director of human resources.
Sisk said Coosa Valley Medical Center is well positioned for progress with the growth of services and facility improvements made during Baptist Health System's tenure.
"Our community now enjoys the benefits of a new $11 million ambulatory care center with its major improvements for surgery, patient access and emergency care as well as a new professional office building, a state-of-the-art MRI, a pain management program, expanded community health programs, and more. The future of health care in our community is bright," Sisk said.
Floyd said the authority has started an ambitious construction and renovation process for the medical center.
This includes a new hospital for the community and surrounding areas.
"Our planned construction will provide our community with state-of-the-art facilities, the latest medical technology and more conveniences for our patients and employees. These projects will enable our outstanding medical staff to grow and to continue their excellent medical care for the benefit of the people of our area," he said.
Floyd said the next step from the Health Care Authority's perspective is to step back and let its management team take care of business.
"Then we will begin planning with architects and our financial advisors for the construction of a new acute care facility," he said.
Jerry Fielding, secretary and treasurer of the authority, said all seven members of the authority are committed to the construction of this new facility "for the health care needs of the people in our service area."
Fielding said the authority has 100 percent confidence in the medical center's management team.
Floyd said the last year had been a long odyssey for the medical center and authority.
"We worked hard, never waiving on our commitment for this new facility," he said.
Sisk said the authority has put a new benefit plan in place for its 550 employees.
He also said there will be a celebration Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lawn at the hospital. This, he said, is to show appreciation to the Sylacauga Health Care Authority for its commitment to the medical center.
"It will also be a time to make a recommitment to the community in terms of health care and the future of this facility," Sisk said.
Other members of the Sylacauga Health Care Authority are Dr. John Bowers, vice chairman; Wallace Shoemaker, immediate past chairman; Jesse Cleveland; Dot Brown; and Dr. Bill Mims, directors; and non-voting members Dr. Steve Bowen, chief of staff; and Sylacauga Council liaison Mary Lois Showers.
