OCH concludes presentations with potential affiliates

The OCH Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees took another step closer to reaching a decision on a potential affiliate after hosting its last presentation on Thursday.

The three potential affiliates Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, University of Mississippi Medical Center and North Mississippi Health Services Inc. each gave a presentation in executive session to answer a list of questions provided by the trustees.

Chair of the OCH Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees Linda Breazeale said the presentations from each entity provided the opportunity for them to answer questions and to clarify their role as an affiliate.

“We were listening for what’s in it for us, and for our community and what’s in it for them,” Breazeale said. “If a hospital wants to affiliate with us, basically we want to know why.”

Breazeale said the initial presentations only scratched the surface in terms of what the entity could provide for the hospital.

“They really all had their own strengths, and they all had similar strengths,” Breazeale said. “All of their presentations were welldesigned, well-delivered and very insightful.”

Once the presentations concluded, Breazeale said each presenta-

tion made it evident each affiliate is a strong system. She said the board will work diligently to make the best decision.

When asked if there was a favorite entity among the board, Breazeale said they haven’t had the opportunity for discussion, because each entity provided written responses as well as a presentation, so there is information in need of sifting through.

“We still have homework to do, reviewing their written responses to our questions,” Breazeale said. “Just to make sure that we are understanding where each system is coming from.”

Breazeale said she is unsure as to when a decision will be made, but expects to have a decision within the next month or two.