Liberty (Mo.) Hospital's leadership team and board are reaching out to a group of more than 30 local, regional and national health systems to explore partnership opportunities for growth.
The independent hospital said it is coming from a position of "financial and organizational strength," allowing it to explore options to expand services in the region and capitalize on outpatient migration and value-based care, according to a May 3 news release.
"It's time for us to expand," Raghu Adiga, MD, the hospital's president and CEO, said. "As an anchor of health in a burgeoning community, we are entering this partnership exploration at the perfect time."
Industry changes and population growth in the community are driving the need for change.
"If we are to grow into our full potential as a premier provider of health and well-being in the Northland … we owe it to our patients, employees and communities to understand whether we can best serve them by remaining independent, or by partnering with a larger health system," Dr. Adiga said.
Hospital leadership expects to conclude the exploration process and reach a final decision this fall. If that decision involves a new health system partner, the partnership could begin as early as next spring.
Liberty Hospital has 204 beds and includes 15 primary care and specialty clinics throughout the Northland. It has more than 1,900 employees and 330 physicians.