Rankin County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on Tuesday to assign the lease for Merit Health Rankin hospital and its operations to Baptist Memorial Health Care. Under the new agreement, Baptist Memorial will assume operations of the 134-bed hospital in the second half of this year.
Merit Health Rankin, located at 350 Crossgates Blvd. in Brandon, Mississippi, is easily accessible from both Interstate 20 and Highway 80, and offers a broad range of diagnostic, emergency, inpatient and geriatric behavioral health services, including an 18-bed senior care program (geriatric psychiatry).
“This is an exciting day for the future of health care in Rankin County,” said Garrett Wright, executive director of Rankin First. “By Baptist Memorial, a known provider for health care excellence in the region, signing the agreement to assume the lease of our community hospital, it is a win-win for our community. This marks a major first step to ensuring continuous access to quality health care for citizens of Rankin County and our region. We are planning for the future of our community with a health care partner who believes in community-focused care and is committed to investing in our people, facilities and services, which supports our work of ensuring better health and greater wealth for Rankin County.”
Baptist Memorial has agreed to invest in the hospital and its services, as well as offer employment to all active 175-plus Merit Health Rankin employees in good standing.
“Our team at Baptist Memorial Health Care couldn’t be happier to have the trust and support of the Rankin County Board of Supervisors to care for the health of this community,” said Jason Little, president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care. “It is a responsibility we take very seriously, and it is why we are very thoughtful about entering new communities as health care partners. We believe we can deliver exceptional community-based health care that will connect this community to our network. With our resources and best assets, which I believe are our people, we can fulfill our 114-year mission of providing quality health care that aligns with the three-fold ministry of Christ while ensuring continued access to sustainable, affordable health care for this community.”
Baptist Memorial, Community Health Systems and Rankin County have agreed to transfer the lease later this year after transition activities have been completed and all regulatory approvals provided.
