Great River hospitals changing name to create single hospital

WEST BURLINGTON - In a move to a new classification, Great River Health Hospitals will undergo and name change and combine to be one hospital with two campuses.

Great River Health Hospitals will be applying for sole community hospital classification in 2021.

The sole community hospital program was created 'to maintain access to needed health services for Medicare beneficiaries in rural communities by providing greater reimbursement,” according to a news release from Great River Health.

To meet the requirements of the new classification, including stipulations about proximity to other local hospitals, Great River Medical Center and Fort Madison Community Hospital will become one hospital with two campuses and renamed the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.

The Henry County Health Center, which approved a resolution on Tuesday moving forward with a long-term operational lease with Great River Health, will not be affected by the new classification or the new name.

If the agreement is approved by voters in a special election in March, Henry County Health Center would retain its name and its classification as a critical access hospital.

Great River Medical Center and Fort Madison Community Hospital will operate under parent corporation Great River Health and hope to make the change by July 1.

'This rapid timeline is in response to the pandemic's financial impact on the hospitals, and it will help ensure long-term financial sustainability for health care in southeast Iowa,” Matt Wenzel, president and chief executive officer for Great River Health, said.

This move is a continuation of an existing partnership between Great River Medical Center and Fort Madison Community Hospital, which began in 2018. The hospitals anticipate patients will notice few changes beyond the new name.

'Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center will be one unified hospital serving the tri-state area,” Wenzel added.