CLYDE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MedWest Haywood and Duke LifePoint Healthcare have finalized Duke LifePoint’s acquisition of the 169-bed medical center and its affiliated assets. Duke LifePoint will invest a minimum of $36 million in capital improvements at Haywood facilities over the next eight years and provide resources that will help it enhance and expand its services. MedWest Haywood will now be known as Haywood Regional Medical Center.
“As part of Duke LifePoint, Haywood Regional will be better able to meet the changing needs of our community,” said Frank Powers, chairman of the Haywood Regional Board of Trustees. “We are delighted to finalize this acquisition and begin our collaboration with Duke LifePoint to improve the health and wellbeing of people throughout this region, create new opportunities for our staff and physicians, and strengthen our medical center for the future ahead.”
Created in 1927, Haywood Regional was the first county hospital in North Carolina. It offers a comprehensive array of services, including orthopedics, spine services, cardiology, general surgery, women's care, emergency medicine and behavioral health. In addition to its medical center, its campus is home to a health and fitness center, the Haywood Outpatient Care Center, and The Homestead, an inpatient hospice facility. Haywood Regional also operates two urgent care centers located in Hazelwood and Canton.
“Duke LifePoint is honored to welcome Haywood Regional to our system,” said LifePoint Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William F. Carpenter III. “The physicians and staff at Haywood Regional have shown inspiring dedication and commitment to their patients and community. We look forward to working with them to build on the great tradition of care that exists here and transform health care delivery in Clyde and beyond.”
As part of Duke LifePoint, Haywood Regional will support its local economy by becoming a local taxpayer. A local board of trustees will be established to ensure a strong community voice in Haywood Regional’s long-term strategic direction.
“Haywood Regional has played a central role in the health care infrastructure of Haywood County for nearly 90 years,” said William J. Fulkerson, Jr., MD, executive vice president of Duke University Health System. “The Duke LifePoint team is pleased to partner with the medical staff and employees to further strengthen Haywood Regional’s ability to advance health care throughout this region.”
Duke LifePoint’s acquisition of Haywood Regional was approved by the Haywood County Board of Commissioners and the local Hospital Authority Board.
About Haywood Regional Medical Center
Haywood Regional Medical Center provides high-quality health care for the people of Haywood County, North Carolina and surrounding communities. Offering over twenty-three specialties, a health and fitness center, an outpatient care center, eight physician clinics and a hospice and palliative care facility, Haywood Regional Medical Center works to improve life in the communities we serve.
About Duke LifePoint Healthcare
Duke LifePoint Healthcare, a joint venture of Duke University Health System, Inc. and LifePoint Hospitals® (NASDAQ: LPNT), was established to build a dynamic network of hospitals and health care providers. The joint venture, which brings together LifePoint's experience in community-based hospital management and Duke's world-renowned leadership in clinical service, is strengthening and improving health care delivery by providing community hospitals the clinical, quality and operational resources they need to grow and prosper. For additional information, visit www.dukelifepointhealthcare.com.