Monroe County Hospital forms clinical partnership with Macon’s Coliseum Health System | Macon Telegraph

The Hospital Authority of Monroe County, doing business as Monroe County Hospital, has formed a clinical partnership with Coliseum Health System of Macon.

“The affiliation between our two organizations will facilitate the on-going delivery of health care services in a local setting to Monroe County and surrounding residents”, Tony Ussery, chairman of the Hospital Authority, said in a news release. “Many independent, rural hospitals such as (Monroe County Hospital) find affiliation with a larger health care system to be the business model necessary to address the challenges and rapid changes going on within the hospital industry. (The Coliseum) has demonstrated (its) interest and commitment to keeping health care local for Monroe County residents”.

Kay Floyd, CEO of Monroe’s hospital, said the affiliation represents an opportunity to enhance access to primary and specialty care services.

“By working together as partners, both hospitals can benefit from each other’s strengths and enhance the medical services currently available at (Monroe County Hospital),” Floyd said. “There is a strong sense of community that is prevalent here in Forsyth/Monroe County. And as many of our rural hospital counterparts are struggling to keep their doors open, we must be proactive in keeping our hospital viable and available to our service area.”

Coliseum Medical Centers’ CEO Lance Jones, said in the release that the first steps “will be to address needs that are currently not being met in the local setting.”

Coliseum Health System includes Coliseum Medical Centers and Coliseum Northside Hospital in Macon. Its two medical/surgical campuses have a total of 413 beds. Both facilities include a 24-hour emergency room, inpatient and outpatient surgery options, rehabilitation programs and diagnostic services.

Monroe County Hospital is a non-profit, independent, community-based hospital located in Forsyth. The hospital is a critical access hospital, providing general medical and surgical care for inpatient, outpatient and emergency room patients.

To contact writer Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223.