University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority to explore a possible relationship, according to the Demopolis Times.
The Tombigbee Healthcare Authority owns and operates Demopolis, Ala.-based Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital.
The partnership follows legislation passed by the Alabama state legislature in 2016 that "creat[ed] university health authorities to help Alabama hospitals," according to the report.
The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"One of the main goals of this legislation was to help find ways to assist rural hospitals in remaining viable for the future," said Will Ferniany, PhD, CEO of the UAB Health System. "This will be one of the first opportunities to utilize this legislation and explore ways in which UAB and Bryan Whitfield Memorial can work together to improve health and wellness in Demopolis and the surrounding region."