OCH Leaders Say No To Possible Sale

STARKVILLE (WCBI) – Keep the hospital locally owned.  That’s the message from the Oktibbeha County Hospital Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees.   The board voted unanimously to oppose the sale or lease of the county owned hospital to a private group.   That option is being considered by the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and a public hearing on a potential sale or lease is set for December 6th.

.“The hospital Board of Trustees is appointed by the County Board of Supervisors for the purpose of operating and governing the hospital,” stated OCH Administrator/CEO Richard Hilton. “The support of our hospital’s board members speaks of the importance in maintaining the hospital’s local ownership. OCH continually works to advance healthcare services in our community, as well as having a good financial performance.”

The doctors and staff are also on record as being against the move

“We, as the medical staff, have already voted and made a resolution to support keeping the hospital locally owned, and the vast majority of the physicians have signed and supported the resolution,” said OCH Chief of Staff Harry Holliday, MD. “The OCH Board of Trustees and Administration have done an extraordinary job of carrying the hospital through the needed changes over the years. Our leadership is in tune with the needs of our community and continues to stay abreast of the changing climate in the field of medicine. A sale or lease of the hospital would be a huge set back to the healthcare community and could result in a loss of jobs and services,” stated Dr. Holliday.