SoutheastHealth — a Cape Girardeau, Mo.-based system including two hospitals, a behavioral health hospital and 48 clinics — is now part of St. Louis-based Mercy.
The acquisition became official on Jan. 3, according to a news release from Mercy. This week, Mercy signage will be placed at SoutheastHealth facilities as the system rebrands as Mercy Southeast; its social media and website have already been updated with the new name.
The hospitals and organizations under SoutheastHealth have also been given new names to clarify them as part of Mercy, with the exception of SoutheastHealth College of Nursing & Health Sciences, which was included in the deal but will retain its original branding for now.
The two entities signed the contract to merge on Aug. 1. Under the agreement, SoutheastHealth facilities will be transferring to Epic's EHR in the fall of 2024.
Kenneth Bateman, the CEO of SoutheastHealth and now the CEO of Mercy Southeast, is delaying his retirement until late 2024 to help lead the transition. He has stepped down from his role as president and will work alongside Mercy Regional President Eric Ammons and Mercy Southeast Community President Ryan Geib.