Posted on June 28, 2005 at 4:06 pm
Extending a relationship established more than a year ago, the UAB Health System and Baptist Health of Montgomery have entered an agreement whereby Baptist Health will become an affiliate of the UAB Health System.
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees today created a health care authority into which Baptist Health will transfer its three hospitals — Baptist Medical Center South and Baptist Medical Center East, both in Montgomery, and Prattville Baptist Hospital. The agreement calls for the creation of a new governing board for the health care authority, with six members selected by the UA System and five members by Baptist Health. The health care authority board will have full governance powers with respect to the business and affairs of Baptist Health, while the UA System and Baptist Health boards will maintain oversight and reserved powers. The Baptist Health name and faith-based mission will not change.
The new board will be composed of Dennis Boulware, MD, senior associate dean of the UAB School of Medicine; Joseph C. Espy III, UA System board member; Carol Garrison, PhD, UAB president and chair of the UAB Health System Board of Directors; John Henig, chairman of the Baptist Health Board of Directors; David Hoidal, CEO of the UAB Health System; Charles Ingalls, MD, vascular surgeon; Cleveland Kinney, PhD, MD, senior associate dean of the UAB School of Medicine for Clinical Affairs; Rev. Ken May, director of Missions for the Montgomery Baptist Association; Kay Miller, retired bank executive; David Patrick, senior vice president/branch manager Wachovia Securities; and James W. Wilson III, UA System board member.
UAB entered into a management agreement to oversee Baptist Health in March 2004.
“The relationship between UAB and Baptist Health has grown in scope in the past year,” said David Hoidal, CEO of the UAB Health System. “We have found a multitude of instances whereby the two systems are able to benefit each other in the public interest. UAB will have opportunities to enhance our education and research opportunities, while Baptist Health will gain operational and financial efficiencies through partnership and the establishment of a health care authority structure.”
“We are very proud of the work that has been accomplished over the past year between the UAB Health System and Baptist Health boards,” said John Henig, chairman of the Baptist Health Board of Directors. “Together we have found a solution that will ensure the long-term viability and growth of health care services provided to the residents of central Alabama.”
“Baptist Health remains the primary provider of health care services in central Alabama. This partnership will help ensure the organization’s ability to honor its mission and provide essential care and services for the benefit of our community,” said Russell Tyner, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “Additionally, the affiliation will offer certain economic advantages, which will allow us to focus on the growth of services, investment in new technology and enhance our physician network.”
“Extending our working agreement with Baptist Health provides both institutions with opportunities for continued efficiencies and opportunities for growth,” said Steve Pickett, executive vice president of the UAB Health System who served as the chief restructuring officer of Baptist Health.
Baptist Medical Center South has long been a training site for some 18-20 UAB residents annually. It also is a medical training site for approximately 20 residents in the Baptist Health Family Practice residency program. Additionally, nearly 40 percent of physicians at the Montgomery Baptist Hospitals are graduates of the UAB School of Medicine.
Media Contact:
Gary Mans
(205) 934-3884
E-mail: gmans@uab.edu