Agreement Signed for Acquisition of Medical Center of South Arkansas

EL DORADO, Ark. – South Arkansas Regional Hospital (SARH), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Medical Center of South Arkansas (MCSA) and its related businesses, including physician clinic operations and outpatient services from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc. 

SARH is a new, nonprofit corporation created by a consortium of community stakeholders with a deep commitment to El Dorado – the SHARE Foundation, Murphy USA Charitable Foundation, Murphy Foundation and AR Health Ventures, a non-profit entity affiliated with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). 

Locally based in South Arkansas, the entities forming SARH are well acquainted with MCSA and have great respect for the providers and employees. Dr. Brian Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of the SHARE Foundation and spokesperson for the consortium indicated that establishment of SARH is intended to provide south Arkansas with more services to the community. The new hospital entity is dedicated to serving the medical needs of the region and expects to continue and build on a tradition of providing quality care and service. 

“SHARE Foundation has been invested in the health of Union County since 1996. This collaboration allows us to deepen that commitment to our community by building on the quality care and services delivered by the physicians and employees of Medical Center of South Arkansas,” Dr. Brian Jones, President/CEO SHARE Foundation. 

Quality of care at the 166-bed Medical Center of South Arkansas is recognized with an overall 4-star rating on CMS Care Compare and a B on the fall 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The hospital cared for patients at more than 95,000 encounters in 2022, including emergency room visits, inpatient admissions, surgeries, physician clinic and outpatient services visits. 

Investments of more than $19 million have been made since 2019 to enhance the facility and expand services, including a remodel of the critical care unit, new surgical equipment, infrastructure upgrades, updates to the inpatient units, and a kitchen/café/community center renovation. Last fall the hospital opened a new $3.5 million dollar, 18-bed inpatient behavioral health unit to offer much-needed mental health support and resources for residents of South Arkansas. 

“The partnership between UAMS, the flagship medical organization in Arkansas, and three local foundations is an extraordinary opportunity to provide essential, world class health care and hospital services to South Arkansas, a vital element for economic stability and growth,” said Madison Murphy, President of The Murphy Foundation. 

Once the transaction is complete, SARH will work with physicians on the medical staff and leadership to develop plans for the future. Plans are underway to make capital improvements at the facility over the next five years. 

“We are excited to be a part of this important effort to improve the health and well-being of our community, and contribute towards high impact initiatives that will shape the future of El Dorado and South Arkansas,” added Andrew Clyde, Chairperson of Murphy USA Charitable Foundation. 

Alignment with UAMS will support enhanced delivery of services at the hospital by various specialists. 

UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA said, “UAMS Is pleased to be a part of this effort to expand health care delivery and education in this important region of our state. Through the generous support of the SHARE Foundation and others, UAMS is in the process of opening our ninth regional campus in El Dorado. The South Arkansas Regional Hospital collaboration further supports our commitment to this region and our plans to establish a primary care physician residency program in El Dorado. Statistics show that doctors are more likely to practice where they completed their training, particularly their residencies. Working together, we look forward to creating a destination in El Dorado for our graduates to make a lasting impact on the community.” 
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close Summer 2023. If you would like more information on South Arkansas Regional Hospital, please visit https://sarhcare.org/.

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About Medical Center of South Arkansas

Focused on delivering quality, compassionate patient care, Medical Center of South Arkansas (MCSA) is the trusted provider of healthcare for El Dorado and the surrounding communities.

A Joint Commission-accredited hospital, MCSA helped patients receive the care they needed in 2021 through 98,000 interactions with the hospital, its affiliated physician practices and outpatient locations. MCSA expands the availability of healthcare services locally through alliances with other well-known Arkansas providers, such as Arkansas Children’s Hospital, UAMS and Arkansas Urology. MCSA offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox from a trusted medical source. Visit https://www.themedcenter.net/enewsletter-sign-up to sign up today. Learn more about MCSA at TheMedCenter.net and connect with us on Facebook (@MedicalCenterofSouthArkansas).

About Murphy USA Charitable Foundation

The Murphy USA Charitable Foundation, established in 2015, supports positive changes in local communities with an emphasis on El Dorado and Southern Arkansas. As the philanthropic arm of Murphy USA, the Foundation’s goal is to sustain its three key priorities of funding programs that support education and workforce development, infrastructure revitalization and community health and well-being. The Foundation annually hosts the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout as part of the EPSON tour which is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA. The Shootout raises funds for the Foundation and has recently focused its giving on women’s healthcare initiatives as a top priority.

About Murphy Foundation

The Murphy Foundation, established in 1958, focuses its efforts to improve the quality of life of those living in South Arkansas, specifically those in El Dorado and Union County.

About SHARE Foundation

SHARE Foundation is a leading multi-agency provider of health and wellness services to thousands of people each year and has been impacting community care in South Arkansas since 1996. SHARE is a unique non-profit organization whose vision is to build a healthier community.  Its mission is “to identify, develop, and foster programs and services that further the health and well-being of the people of our community and surrounding areas.” 

About UAMS

UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,240 students, 913 medical residents and fellows, and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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