Adena Health System and Fayette County Memorial Hospital officials sign paperwork to complete an agreement between the two parties on Feb. 15, 2

WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH (Feb. 15, 2021) – Adena Health System and Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) finalized their agreement for FCMH to become a member of Adena, officials from both organizations and Fayette County Commissioners announced in a signing event held earlier today. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 25-bed critical access hospital, located in Washington Court House, will officially become part of Adena Health System on May 2, 2021, and operate under the name Adena Fayette Medical Center. Adena will assume operation management of the hospital today.

“In today’s healthcare landscape, strong, regional networks are vital, and we are excited about Fayette County Memorial Hospital becoming part of our Adena family,” said Adena President & CEO Jeff Graham. “By adding FCMH, we ensure close to home access to critical medical services for the residents of Fayette County and further advance our delivery of care across the region. Our goal is to grow the care here and not to have people leave the county.”

Graham also set a vision for what the future of healthcare in Fayette County will look like in the coming years, “A key component of this agreement is what the future holds for the physicians, advance practice providers and caregivers at Adena Fayette Medical Center and the residents of Fayette County. Through the course of our due diligence, we looked at the investment needed for the current hospital and it really changed our discussions about the future. And that future involves building a new critical access hospital on the current site. We understand the impact localized healthcare has on a community and how a new hospital drives the local economy. Having facilities that allow new services for patient care.”

Further details around Adena Fayette Medical Center’s construction project will be announced at a later time.

The new agreement deepens a collaboration between the two organizations and builds on an existing partnership established in 2018.

“The mission of Fayette County Memorial Hospital, since its founding in 1950, has been to improve the health of our community through high-quality patient care and education,” FCMH CEO Mike Diener said. “That mission and the desire to be our community’s first choice for healthcare has been the foundation for our decision to initially partner with and now join Adena Health System. Adena has already proven their commitment to providing access to valuable care right here at home. Adena’s desire to come along side us and invest in our caregivers and our campus will ensure our original mission continues in a new hospital that will enhance our ability to deliver quality patient care with advanced medical technology and increased training opportunities for our caregivers. We are eager to take this next step with Adena Health System and look forward to what the future holds for the residents of Fayette County and our surrounding communities.”

Adena and FCMH received approvals to move forward with all agreements in unanimous votes by the FCMH Board of Trustees on Jan. 25 and the Adena Board of Trustees and Fayette County Commissioners on Feb. 1.

“Fayette County Commissioners are very pleased to come to this agreement with Adena Health System,” explained Jim Garland, President, Fayette County Board of Commissioners. “Adena’s commitment to keeping healthcare local and their demonstrated years of partnership in providing specialty care in Fayette County, we believe presented the best possible outcome for our residents. We look forward to a long, successful relationship.”

Based in Chillicothe, OH, Adena Health System is an independent, not-for-profit and locally controlled healthcare organization founded by nine area churches serving the needs of people in nine counties of south central and southern Ohio for over 125 years. It employs nearly 4,000 people. Adena provides specialty services typically found in larger markets keeping patients close to home for their care. Driven by a mission of “Called to serve our communities”, Adena Health System now includes four hospitals, six regional clinics and multiple primary care, specialty clinics and urgent care locations.