St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare and Kansas City-based St. Luke’s will be merging in January. 939 the Eagle’s Fred Parry reports their merger will form a $10-billion system with 28 hospitals. Kansas City television station KMBC reports St. Luke’s is the second-largest health care provider in Kansas City, while BJC is the St. Louis area’s largest health system. Boone Hospital Center board of trustees chair Dr. Jerry Kennett joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. Mr. Parry tells listeners that Columbia-based MU Health Care “will be under attack” from BJC, adding that MU Health has already been under attack from KU Medical Center. Dr. Kennett suggests that it’s important for MU Health Care and Boone Hospital Center to work together to enhance services locally:
(LISTEN): MU Health Care says strategic relationship with Moberly’s hospital will improve ability to recruit specialists
Officials at Columbia-based MU Health Care are excited about a strategic relationship they’ve formed with both Moberly Regional Medical Center (MRMC) and Northeast Regional Medical Center in Hannibal. MU Health vice chancellor Nim Chinniah tells 939 the Eagle that MU Health physicians already staff the emergency room at the Moberly hospital.
“What this relationship really does is gives us the benefit of extending MU Health Care’s ability to recruit talent to field specialties like orthopedics, cardiovascular to a great community hospital that does a fantastic job in serving the needs of its communities,” Chinniah says.
Moberly Regional Medical Center was built in 1981. Mr. Chinniah says the strategic relationship will improve care for Moberly, Hannibal and other northeast Missouri residents where they live. He says the three entities share a commitment for improving rural access to health care.
Meantime, MRMC’s chief executive officer is touting the new strategic relationship with MU Health Care. Michael Hall predicts it will stabilize community health care and make it sustainable long-term.
“And by utilizing and have access to resources that we did not have before through MU Health, we’re able to keep that health care local. And really provide for our patients and their families in our community. And recognize that that allows them to have that closer-knit group of support here at the local hospital,” says Mr. Hall.
He tells 939 the Eagle that this is about their shared promise, which is better health care for every patient.
Patients and visitors at Columbia’s University Hospital facing parking changes starting Monday
MU Health Care will be closing its patient and visitor garage attached to Columbia’s University Hospital for about a month, starting Monday morning.
Columbia-based MU Health Care will do numerous upgrades, including a new automated parking guidance system with digital signage displaying the number of spaces available on each level. They also plan to build an additional entrance on the structure’s northeast side for the new Children’s Hospital, which will open in June 2024.
MU Health Care says construction crews will perform maintenance and concrete beam repairs throughout the structure.
During the closure, patients and visitors should park in the west side of parking structure seven, which is just south of the hospital. MU Health Care will be running courtesy shuttles 24-7 and will pick up patients and visitors from their vehicles and will take you to to University Hospital, University Physicians medical building and to the Missouri Orthoptaedic Institute.
(AUDIO): MU Health Care’s Chinniah and Capital Region Medical Center’s Calvaruso appear live on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Columbia-based MU Health Care and longtime Jefferson City affiliate Capital Region Medical Center plan to fully integrate the two organizations into an integrated academic health care system. They are currently two separate corporations. University of Missouri vice chancellor for health affairs Nim Chinniah and Capital Region Medical Center’s Gaspare Calvaruso joined us live in-studio on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” Mr. Chinniah tells listeners that community hospitals are struggling in Missouri, and this ensures that care remains high-quality and is sustainable. He notes MU Health Care has opened clinics in Mexico, Fulton and Boonville, rural mid-Missouri towns that have seen their hospitals close:
Proposed mid-Missouri hospital integration praised by both MU Health Care and Capital Region Medical Center
Columbia-based MU Health Care and longtime Jefferson City affiliate Capital Region Medical Center have signed a non-binding letter of intent to fully integrate the two organizations to become an integrated academic health care system.
University of Missouri vice chancellor for health affairs Nim Chinniah tells reporters that the move strengthens the commitment to the health of mid-Missourians, and continues care in Jefferson City.
“An integrated health system really creates a network to serve the needs of people of mid-Missouri. So if our operations in Columbia and across the state, Capital Region becomes an extension of that program,” Mr. Chinniah says.
He says the 25 years have taught them that their two hospitals are stronger together. He also emphasizes that the employees are the most valuable resource for both hospitals and that patients in Columbia and Jefferson City will benefit from Thursday’s letter of intent.
“It is high-quality care and it’s also sustainable. Right, because at a time when community hospitals are challenged and distressed, you know being connected and us working together makes sure that the continuing of care will be in a very sustainable way,” says Chinniah.
He says the affiliation between MU Health Care and Capital Region has created numerous benefits, including new specialty services and a shared state-of-the-art electronic medical record. Capital Region formed an affiliation with MU Health Care in 1997. Jefferson City’s 100-bed Capital Region Medical Center includes home health services and an accredited rehabilitation center.