West Georgia Health Joins WellStar Health System

May 28, 2015 1889 Views Eastern U.S., greenhouse gas emissions, Health care facilities services, hospital energy costs, NFPA 70E, NFPA 99 Life Safety Code, Randall Scott

LAGRANGE, Ga. — West Georgia Health, based in LaGrange, announced May 19 that it has agreed to join with Marietta, Ga.-based WellStar Health System.

WellStar is the largest nonprofit community health system in Georgia. West Georgia Health cites several transitions for the health care industry as a driver for the decision to join with WellStar, including changing government regulations and reimbursements. Health systems are looking for new efficiencies that allow for improved access to health care, lower cost and higher quality, West Georgia Health noted in a statement.

“We were looking for a strong partner, but we were also looking for a good fit — the right fit,” said Jerry Fulks, president and CEO of West Georgia Health, in a statement. “WellStar is that fit. They’ve amassed the size and financial muscle you need to succeed in today’s healthcare world, and they’ve done that while keeping a sharp focus on patient care and employee satisfaction — and the relationship between those two. Culturally, I believe this is a very good marriage.”

“As not-for-profits, WellStar and West Georgia Health have similar missions and commitments to our communities,” added Reynold Jennings, CEO of WellStar Health System, in a statement. “WellStar was formed 20 years ago when five hospitals came together to create a new health system. By bringing West Georgia Health into the regional system, we are continuing our commitment to deliver world-class health care to the communities we serve. Through an in-depth review, we have been very impressed with the level of care that is delivered by the entire West Georgia Health team.”

The announcement that the two health care organizations will merge their operations follows more than a year of work by a strategic planning committee, which was appointed by the LaGrange-Troup County Hospital Authority. As part of that process, the committee worked with JP Morgan as financial advisor to solicit partnership proposals from a number of larger health care systems in Georgia.

WellStar emerged as the best potential match, Fulks said in a statement. WellStar operates five community hospitals serving Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties. WellStar Medical Group, an entity within WellStar, consists of more than 800 physicians and advanced practitioners across more than 160 office locations. With nearly 14,000 team members, it also operates a 180-bed nursing home, 16 imaging centers, eight urgent care centers, two health parks, a pediatric center and two hospice facilities. In addition, WellStar’s emergency department is the busiest in the state.

Fulks and Jennings said in a statement that they expected to complete the remaining due diligence and negotiations within the next three to six months.