‘It feels like we’re losing control’: Jennie Stuart Health invites public to speak about merger

Concerned community members attended an informational session at Jennie Stuart Medical Center on Oct. 30, as the local hospital explained their intent to merge with Deaconess Health.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Concerned community members attended an informational session at Jennie Stuart Medical Center on Oct. 30, as the local hospital explained their intent to merge with Deaconess Health.

In September, Jennie Stuart Healthdisclosed a signed, non-binding letter of intent to join Deaconess. This led to the formation of the group “Save Jennie Stuart” which is composed of former hospital employees, former board members, and elected officials.

Local Control

Many residents who attended were concerned about losing control of the community hospital to a much larger organization like Deaconess, which is based in Indiana. Board Vice Chair Hollis White told attendees that the decision to involve the community came as soon as judicially possible.

“It feels like we’re losing control of our local medical care,” said Bill Nichol, a member of Save Jennie Stuart during the meeting. “Our local board has members from outside our community, and we’re giving our hospital away and getting nothing back.”

White assured the community that physicians cannot direct their patients on where to go. “The goal is to expand the care we’re providing, not limit it,” he said.

Save Jennie Stuart Director Darrel Gustafson said he believes in the importance of the local board, and asked if they will have the power to deny this plan despite the Deaconess majority on the board. White answered by saying they would not be able to. When asked if someone from Deaconess will manage the hospital, White said, “Those are items we’re working through on the definitive agreement.”

Chairperson of the board Leslie Carroll assured the community that people can ask questions on their website, and they will be answered when they can. She shared that the full board would host another public meeting, and the decision of the merger will be made on Dec. 2.

Software failure

It was disclosed during the meeting that earlier this year, Jennie Stuart hospital experienced problems with their new software system which caused the hospital to hemorrhage money.

The hospital proposed buying a new system last September called Epic Systems, but the deal fell through because the sellers require the hospital to have a revenue of at least $2 million. The merger with Deaconess would allow the hospital to purchase the system.

Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Hollis White said, “Using our current system is like using a cellphone from 20 years ago.” He said that Epic is a top-of-the-line system which can schedule appointments, collect copays, and pay bills. Though it is the full version with connect, he was not able to specify what level the system was at.

When asked if the board had any method of accountability for the software company to retrieve the lost funds, White said all options were being explored.

Despite the financial loss, the hospital has a net worth of roughly $145 million. The Jennie Stuart CFO Mark Laramee said the hospital has never been and never will be in danger of closing. Despite the hospital having a positive cash flow, White said they weren’t covering the cost of depreciation due to the large size of the facility.

A member of the board’s IT department asked if Deaconess or the local community will control the new system, White said Deaconess will implement and integrate it. The department member said that if Deaconess was controlling the new system, and there would be no job losses from this acquisition, what does the board need her for? White declined to answer.