Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System signed a letter of intent to affiliate with Demorest, Ga.-based Habersham Medical Center.
Under the terms of the agreement, NGHS and HMC will continue exclusive discussions to form a definitive agreement for NGHS to acquire HMC. Officials said the process will take roughly one year to complete.
"We are pleased that a review of strategic options for our community hospital and its affiliation opportunities has led us to these exclusive negotiations with our longtime regional partner, Northeast Georgia Health System," said Kim Crawford, chairman of the Habersham County Hospital Authority. "This partnership not only brings together two health systems focused on serving their communities, but we believe that it also will enhance HMC's mission of providing healthcare services to the citizens of Habersham County and other surrounding communities."
"We have had ongoing discussions with the Habersham County Hospital Authority and Habersham County Commission for the past several years about the strategic direction and future of Habersham Medical Center, and we are very pleased that those discussions have ultimately concluded with this letter of intent," said Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS. "HMC is a natural strategic fit with NGHS due to our contiguous service region and the many clinical partnerships already in existence. We are excited about what the future holds as we work together even more seamlessly for the benefit of our shared patients."