LEXINGTON, NC - Lexington Memorial Hospital and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have agreed to affiliate, effective October 1.
The hospitals have worked together in providing services, including cancer and dialysis, to Davidson County for years. “We see this affiliation as a natural extension of our relationship,” said Charles (Chuck) W. Taylor, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lexington Memorial.
Governing boards of each organization approved the agreement yesterday. “The Board believes this affiliation will ensure that high quality, cost-effective healthcare services will continue to be provided to Lexington and Davidson County,” Taylor added.
“We are impressed with the commitment of the Lexington Memorial Board, administration and medical staff to the community, and we look forward to building on the outstanding reputation the hospital has earned in its 62 years of service,” said Steve Robertson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wake Forest Baptist.
“Lexington Memorial is an excellent strategic fit for us as we develop a regional healthcare delivery network,” said Robertson. “The affiliation will be a mutually beneficial relationship.
“The goal is to strengthen Lexington Memorial through expanded services, updated facilities and more physicians so fewer patients will have to travel to out-of-town hospitals,” Robertson added. “When patients must be transferred to Wake Forest Baptist, they will have easy access.”
Lexington Memorial’s Board began a formal process in January of evaluating potential partners, Taylor said. “Wake Forest Baptist rose to the forefront as a partner who can secure the future of healthcare in Lexington and Davidson County, enabling us to have the resources to move forward as a full-service hospital.
“We are excited to be connected to a world-renown academic medical center that is in the forefront of education, research and clinical services,” Taylor added.
Small community hospitals across the country are joining larger healthcare systems. “Given the pressures facing community hospitals, the Board believes now is the best time to join with a large organization that shares our values for a bright future for healthcare in Lexington and Davidson County,” Taylor said. The Board has informed the community about the affiliation process over the past year.
Lexington Memorial, with 94 acute care beds, is part of Davidson Health Care, Inc. a non-profit organization, which includes eight physician practices and a public pharmacy. The hospital employs approximately 800 employees and has 120 physicians on its medical staff.
Wake Forest Baptist is an academic medical center composed of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the School of Medicine and Piedmont Triad Research Park. Wake Forest Baptist is the largest employer in the Piedmont Triad with approximately 11,000 employees.
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Contacts:
Kathy Sushereba
336.238.4552
ksushereba@lmh.cc
Jonnie Rohrer
336.716.6972
jrohrer@wfubmc.edu