from the Herald Bulletin
Meridian Health Services has acquired the Madison County Community Health Center, and plans to expand its services in the county.
The change is effective immediately, according to a news release issued by Muncie-based regional health care provider. Meridian Health will acquire all Community Health Center assets and liabilities, although precise financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Meridian Health described its acquisition as a “collaboration” that brings great strengths to both organizations that will provide patients with a broader spectrum of quality, affordable health care services that will benefit Anderson.
“The changing landscape of health care enable many opportunities and collaborations to exist that will help organizations grow and diversify their services while enhancing patient care,” said Hank Milius, president and CEO of Meridian Health, in a prepared statement.
Each organization has a long history in particular fields of health care that will now be blended to offer a stronger integration of physical, mental and social health for increased patients services, quality and outcomes, Milius continued.
“Madison County Community Health Center is excited about the opportunity of joining forces with Meridian Health Services,” said Sharon A. Foote, COO and CEO of the health center, in the press release. “We are certain our shared values and mission will enhance the delivery health care and other services in Madison County.”
Both executives said their respective boards of directors support the merger and believe it will provide greater access, quality of care, expanded services, and patient satisfaction, according to the news release.
Additional services that will become available to Community Health Center patients include psychiatry for children and adults; human service case management to assist with non-medical service needs; school, home and community services, and a specialized program for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and mental health needs called Connxxions, said Beth Clark, vice president of marketing for Meridian Health.
Anthony Malone founded the nonprofit Madison County Community Health Center Anderson in 1999, and served as its CEO until September 2017. During that period the health center expanded to offices in Elwood and Alexandria.
In 2013, however, the health center came under state and federal scrutiny when officials discovered that the center’s medical director was pre-signing prescriptions dispensing controlled medications to patients, and lost its state and federal funding as a result.
Dr. Frank Campbell’s license was suspended indefinitely by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board, and two physician assistants were disciplined.
“I think it’s (Meridian Health’s) kind of going to save the place,” said one former board member speaking on condition of anonymity.
With gross annual revenue of $137 million, Meridian Health treats about 40,000 patients per year at 43 facilities and offices throughout central Indiana.
Community Health Center currently serves 6,800 patients in areas of family and internal medicine, dentistry, pediatrics, behavioral health and substance abuse. It has 50 employees and reports annual revenue of $3.1 million, according to the Meridian Health news release.
