Paris, Tenn.–Both the Henry County Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Strategic Planning Committee unanimously recommended a lease agreement with West Tennessee Healthcare. Thursday’s meetings were lengthy and crowded, with an estimated 150 people on hand.
Making presentations to the Board of Trustees were the West Tennessee Healthcare President and CEO James Ross and COO Tina Prescott.
At its meeting Monday night, April 1, the Henry County Commission will hear an update on the hospital’s status, but is not expected to vote on the recommendations at that point.
Under the plan as presented by Ross, West Tennessee Healthcare would be responsible for management, while Henry County continues to own the property.
Henry County Commissioner and HCMC board member David Webb said, “The next steps will include hiring a third-party attorney, generating formal documents, and getting approval from the Henry County Commission. The transition would take several months, and there will be a great deal of hard work involved from both organizations. It is imperative we do our due diligence with all deliberate speed to not only maintain, but expand healthcare services in our community—including OB and cardiology.”
Ross said under the lease agreement, all of the hospital’s current employees would be retained.
Photo: West Tennessee CEO James Ross and COO Tina Prescott make their presentation, at right.