MedWest board names officers, authorizes deal with Carolinas HealthCare
REGIONAL–MedWest Health System, the new organization reflecting the affiliation between Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) and WestCare Health System, held the first meeting of its board today, and elected officers.
From Brian Thomas at MedWest:
Mark Clasby was elected chairman of the MedWest Health System Board of Directors. Clasby is chairman of HRMC’s governing board and served as chairman of the joint study committee for the affiliation process. Mr. Clasby is executive director of the Haywood County Economic Development Commission.
“[In today's meeting] we talked about remaining steps to complete the organizational process, and approved a resolution authorizing the integration agreement and management services agreement with Carolinas HealthCare System. In addition, we signed the integration agreement on behalf of MedWest,” Mr. Clasby said.
Representatives of the two healthcare organizations have been working on a joint operating agreement since spring, when plans were first announced to integrate operations. MedWest Health System is expected to be up and running by January 2010. At that time, Haywood Regional and WestCare will execute the management services agreement with Carolinas HealthCare System, based in Charlotte.
Fred Alexander, chairman of WestCare’s governing board, was elected as vice chairman of the MedWest board. Mr. Alexander is district manager for government and community relations the southwestern North Carolina mountain counties served by Duke Energy.
“I think Helen Keller said what I feel most, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’ This is a tremendous step for healthcare in our region and I look forward to seeing all the good we can do with a united presence,” Mr. Alexander said.
Bob Carpenter, also a member of WestCare’s governing board, was elected secretary. He is an associate financial planner with MetLife Financial Services and has been a member of the Jackson County Planning Board since 2007.
Glenn White was elected treasurer. Mr. White served three terms on Haywood Regional’s governing board and held the office of treasurer from 2000 until 2008. He served as chairman his final year on the board.
The newly formed joint board will have oversight responsibility for Haywood Regional and WestCare Health System; however, the currently constituted Haywood Regional and WestCare governing boards will remain in place with authority to oversee specific functions. The two individual hospital boards, for example, will continue to approve credentials for their respective medical staffs; and will make decisions regarding the sale, lease or distribution of current assets.
Other members of the MedWest Health System Board of Directors include Dr. Martha Anderson, WestCare; Jean Burton, HRMC; Dr. Shannon Hunter; HRMC; Bunny Johns, WestCare; Kirk Kirkpatrick, HRMC; Jim Manring, WestCare: Jerry McKinney, WestCare; Dr. Henry Nathan, HRMC; Frank Powers, HRMC; and Dr. Larry Selby, WestCare.
Haywood Regional Medical Center (www.haymed.org) was established in 1927. The current facility opened in 1979 and is licensed for 170 acute care beds. It is the third largest employer in Haywood County with more than 900 employees.
WestCare Health System (www.westcare.org) was formed in February 1997 when Harris Regional Hospital and Swain County Hospital combined to develop a full spectrum of health services. WestCare employs almost 1,200 full and part time employees and has a medical staff of more than 90 physicians representing 22 specialties.
Carolinas HealthCare System (www.carolinashealthcare.org) is the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas, with 29 affiliated hospitals in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Tags: carolinas healthcare system, harris regional hospital, Haywood County, haywood regional medical center, Health, healthcare organizations, hospitals, Jackson County, North Carolina, Swain County, westcare health system, Western North Carolina
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