This partnership includes clinical and management expertise and a higher level of integration between the two organizations; Deaconess Illinois will also employ key Lawrence County Memorial Hospital leaders. This alignment will help grow and expand local services, adding to the high-quality, accessible care already provided at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital.
“This hospital, and its future, are of utmost importance to our board. We, along with our families, are often the patients being treated here,” said Carl Aten, chairman, Lawrence County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. “We recognize that the future of the LCMH will be most secure by enhancing the services provided in our own community, while managing the business affairs of the hospital in a way that maintains local control and governance. Our partnership with Deaconess Illinois will accomplish that.”
“This affiliation is a result of many months of work to create a partnership that will impact our county and the surrounding area for a generation. An affiliation with Deaconess Illinois brings together two very patient-focused organizations that will assure our current and future patients a continuum of high quality care, including expanded specialty care, the potential for more rural health clinic services, and enhanced physician recruitment. We are very excited for this opportunity to partner with a well-respected organization such as Deaconess,” said Don Robbins, CEO, Lawrence County Memorial Hospital.
“I’m optimistic about what this affiliation will mean to the residents of Lawrence County, as well as to employers and potential employers,” said Bill Gray, Lawrence County Board Chair. “As someone who has lived here all my life, I know the importance of having a strong local hospital to provide quality health care, close to home.”
In the coming months, Deaconess Illinois and Lawrence County Memorial Hospital will begin to co-brand services. However, Lawrence County Memorial Hospital will remain a local, independent hospital dedicated to providing exceptional care to the people in and around Lawrence County.
“Health care in the U.S. is changing rapidly, and these changes are first affecting small, critical access hospitals. Deaconess is local, independent, not-for-profit hospital, and we believe in partnering with other local, independent, not-for-profit hospitals, to help strengthen their position in their community,” said Shawn McCoy, CEO, Deaconess Health System. “We have enjoyed building a relationship with Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, and look forward to combining the strengths of our two organizations to enhance the services available in and around Lawrence County.”
