NEW GROUP TO TAKE OVER ST. MARK’S

  

St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange received some good news as a new group has emerged to take over the troubled medical facility. 

Hospital Center of Excellence has signed a term sheet establishing intent to transfer operational control over to them. They would take the place of the Plano-based Community Hospital Corporation.

According to the Fayette County Record, St. Mark’s will retain its mortgage obligations, and other vendor liabilities. 

CHC has agreed to forgive its approximately $1.4 million long term receivable debt. St. Mark’s is receiving $8.5 million in private investor funds to make necessary repairs and upgrades to the facility, recertify medical equipment, provide ongoing capital, and return outpatient surgical services to the hospital.

The transfer is planned for September 1.

HCOE CEO Craig Moreau told the Record that their immediate plans call for the quick re-opening of the operating and procedure rooms for a range of outpatient services.  That is in addition to continuing to providing quality care under the Rural Emergency Hospital Status. 

They also want to establish credential providers across both Lee and Fayette Counties, as well as recruiting medical providers to fully utilize the hospital, the privately owned Medical Office Building, and the space formerly occupied by St. Mark's in the Giddings Clinic.

HCOE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Russell Clark announced that the first services returning will be outpatient general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and endoscopy. They are also going to look into adding more services in the future including telemedicine and telepharmacy.

HCOE Chief Strategy Officer Sam Wilson said that transparency will be front and center, and that they plan to keep the public updated on the hospital, the challenges it faces, and the plans for future growth.