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CADIZ -- Officials at a local hospital that is being acquired by a larger organization are excited for the new resources and aid the deal is expected to bring to Harrison County.
The staff members at Harrison Community Hospital, located in Cadiz, are proud to work at a smaller, local hospital that serves the residents of the rural community. However, they also acknowledge the resources a larger organization can bring to the area, and that's why last September the hospital began to look for partners willing to acquire it and expand its operations.
"We said, 'We need to find a partner,'" said hospital CEO Cliff Harmon. "Out of all the groups we talked to, Wheeling (Hospital) had the best proposal."
Harrison Community Hospital entered into talks with Wheeling Hospital and came to the conclusion that partnering with the larger medical facility was a good choice. However, before the agreement can be finalized, there are some legal procedures that need to be completed, according to Harmon. He said there are several steps both hospitals need to go through.
The first step was to have the agreement reviewed by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. He said he is "not opposed" to the acquisition, according to Harmon, and is allowing the hospitals to move on to the next step.
The transaction also must be approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is currently reviewing the agreement.
Harmon said the acquisition will allow Harrison County to access the greater resources that Wheeling Hospital can offer and allow the hospital assist the community in new ways. For example, Harrison Community currently does not have an audiologist on staff; once the acquisition is finished, however, Harrison will have access to the audiologists on staff at Wheeling Hospital. In addition, staff members could travel from Wheeling to Harrison County if a Harrison employee is sick or unable to attend that day.
"The big advantage is the access to the resources that would be difficult for us to get on our own," said Harmon.
Wheeling Hospital spokesman Gregg Warren agreed that the acquisition is a great opportunity for Wheeling Hospital to help improve and expand health care in Harrison County.
"We are excited about the potential for enhancing health care in Harrison County and the surrounding area. We will provide detailed comments once the final step is completed, which involves the approval of the acquisition by HUD," said Warren, vice president of Marketing and Public Relations for Wheeling Hospital.
Harmon said that he and other officials at both hospitals are excited for the partnership and the possibilities that can arise from the acquisition. Harmon said even though the deal is still being completed, he is looking forward to the future and what it will hold for Harrison Community Hospital.
"It's a great win for the hospital and the residents of Harrison County," Harmon said. "We're thrilled that Wheeling is willing to look at us. They're a good partner that will help us bring services needed to a rural county."