Magee hospital, SCRMC finalizing acquisition plans

“The organizations have completed a period of due diligence, resulting in a definitive transaction that will unite Magee General and South Central in the near future,” Board Chairman G. Bennett Hubbard Jr. said. “This integration will place the Magee hospital in a stronger position to navigate the challenging and evolving healthcare landscape while providing a strategy to move additional physicians and specialized services into our community — ultimately improving long-term staffing and increasing access to care.”

During the meeting with Magee and South Central leaders, key areas of commitment were announced, with the first being preservation of employment. Leaders emphasized that no jobs will be lost as a direct result of the acquisition and there will be a focus on increasing patients served through the introduction of more services and specialists.

One of the first differences currently in motion is the implementation of additional board-certified physicians.

Other key commitments discussed include service improvement and expansion, economies of scale through agreements with vendors and payors and a continued mission to serve as a major provider of healthcare and an economic driver in Magee. The transaction is expected to be completed by early summer.

The two entities have worked together as part of the SCRMC consortium since July 2023 under an administrative services agreement, which has provided an effective platform for collaboration opportunities.

“SCRMC and MGH share a vision for access to high-quality healthcare in rural Mississippi, and we want to further that mission in whatever way we can,” said George Walters, SCRMC’s board chairman. “We believe this step is the best way to accomplish that goal.”