GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – On Tuesday, Memorial Health System entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. to acquire full ownership of Merit Health Biloxi.

The acquisition, which will be completed in the first quarter of 2025, includes the operations of the Merit Health Biloxi hospital, medical office building, clinics and two imaging centers.

Memorial says it does not plan to discontinue any services currently provided by Merit Health Biloxi, and the focus is on ensuring a smooth transition for both employees and patients.

Memorial and Merit Health Biloxi say the collaboration has and will improve health care on the Gulf Coast by establishing regional partnerships in oncology, neurology, neuro-interventional radiology, radiology, infectious disease and cardiology. According to Memorial and Merit Health, this collaboration has enabled both organizations to better provide patient-centered care and ensure seamless service to the region.

“Our collaboration came at a crucial time when both organizations needed to work together to ensure that healthcare services remained uninterrupted during an incredibly challenging time created by the global pandemic,” said Kent Nicaud, President and CEO of Memorial Health System.

“As the health care needs of our region changed rapidly, our efforts allowed us to respond more effectively and ensure that patients continued to receive the care they depended on. Now, Memorial is well positioned to build on this foundation. By taking full ownership, we can provide a more consistent patient experience and make it easier for them to access the care they need. Because our hospitals and clinics work under the same system, patients will experience smoother transitions between facilities, knowing they are receiving the same high level of care no matter where they go. Our commitment remains to provide quality healthcare at every stage of life, which has always been at the heart of our mission. We will continue to invest in our facilities, develop our technology, create growth opportunities for our staff and ensure that everyone on the Mississippi Coast can get the care they need close to home.”

Nicaud emphasized, “Gulfport and Biloxi hospitals have rich legacies and exceptional teams, and we are excited to continue serving the region together. We are fully committed to supporting our staff and ensuring they are aligned with the long-term vision of our healthcare system. Together, we will shape the future of health care on the Coast while continuing to prioritize what is best for our patients.”

See a spelling or grammar mistake in this story? Report it to our team HERE.

Copyright 2024 WLOX. All rights reserved.