Memorial Health System agrees to acquire full ownership of Merit Health Biloxi

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – 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, expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2025, includes Merit Health Biloxi’s hospital operations, medical office building, clinics, and two imaging centers.

Memorial says it has no plans 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 enhance healthcare across 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 allowed both organizations to better offer patient-centered care and ensure seamless services for the region.

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

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

Nicaud emphasized, “The hospitals in Gulfport and Biloxi 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 health system. Together, we will shape the future of healthcare on the Coast while continuing to prioritize what’s best for our patients.”

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

Copyright 2024 WLOX. All rights reserved.