Unity Health to purchase Jacksonville hospital
SEARCY — Unity Health of Searcy has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the former North Metro Medical Center building and multiple adjacent properties in Jacksonville. The agreement follows comprehensive evaluation and due diligence performed by Unity Health, Allegiance Health Management and Jacksonville city officials.
“This agreement is coming to fruition in large part due to the commitment of Mayor Bob Johnson to ensure that Jacksonville has local access to quality health care,” said Steven Webb, Unity Health President/CEO. “Unity Health has built a strong reputation for quality health care services over its 53-year history, and we are excited to be invited by the mayor to improve the quality of health and well-being for the community of Jacksonville.”
“Unity Health will request new licensing from the state, with hopes of seeing the first patient in the summer of 2021. At that time, the initial plan is for the Unity Health Jacksonville location to provide an emergency department, radiology/imaging services, behavioral-health services and observation rooms, with the intent to add more services throughout the first three years.”
Unity Health is among the state’s most comprehensive rural, not-for-profit health care providers, including two hospital campuses in Searcy, a hospital campus in Newport and more than 20 physician clinics and specialty centers serving eight Arkansas counties.
“The purchase of the Jacksonville location will allow Unity Health to care for Jacksonville and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Roddy Lochala, Unity Health chief medical officer. “We are excited about the possibility of enhancing the Jacksonville facility and offering high-quality services.”
As Unity Health officials work through the assetpurchase-agreement process with Allegiance Health Management, who currently owns the North Metro facility, and Mayor Johnson, along with other city officials, the plan is to remain as transparent as possible and to communicate with the residents of Jacksonville and surrounding areas.