Murphy Medical Center in western North Carolina officially became Erlanger Murphy Medical Center on Sunday, bringing a sixth hospital - the only one outside Tennessee - into the Chattanooga-based health system.
Murphy Medical officials began soliciting bids for a health system to operate the rural, critical access hospital in 2015. After two years of review from both sides, Erlanger Health System officials signed a letter of intent to operate Murphy Medical in 2017, followed by the two boards of trustees voting for Erlanger to acquire the hospital in January 2018.
Former Murphy CEO Mike Stevenson, who's serving as interim CEO, said many of the hospital's approximately 450 employees gathered Monday to celebrate the transition with a picnic lunch and music.
"I think it's a really historical moment in the history of Murphy Medical Center," he said. "We know it was the right decision and we're excited - we're just now beginning the transition and everything, so I would say most is yet to come."
Murphy Medical first opened in 1979, and although the hospital's finances are stable compared to some other rural hospitals, Stevenson said the move to join a larger health system was necessary to prevent the fate of other rural hospitals that have been forced to close amidst a changing industry.
Robert M. Brooks, Erlanger chief operating officer, said Erlanger will bring more specialists and services to an area that has traditionally struggled to attract some providers.
"Physicians want to care for those living in their community, and we believe their patients should receive the right care, at the right place, at the right time," Brooks said. "It is important to those living in this area that they can be treated within their community and remain near their homes, families, friends and support groups."
Stephanie Boynton, CEO of Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital and Sequatchie Valley, is overseeing the transition and said time will tell what and how many services will be added. But for now, it's "business as usual" in North Carolina.
"It's really early in the game - today's our first day here - we're still really assessing the business and determining what changes we'll be making," she said. "We think it's going to be a great partnership for Murphy, North Carolina, as well as Erlanger."
Contact staff writer Elizabeth Fite at efite@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.