FMCH and Great River Medical Center to Partner

West Burlington, Iowa, July 24, 2018 – Healthcare in southeast Iowa is about to get stronger. The Board of Directors at Fort Madison Community Hospital (FMCH) has signed an affiliation agreement to join Great River Medical Center as partners under the Great River Health corporate umbrella. The agreement will become effective Wednesday, August 1. This partnership, of two independent healthcare organizations, will position southeast Iowa as a regional hub for high-quality primary and specialty care, provided through a local health system.

The announcement was first made in December of 2017 that FMCH and Great River Health System were exploring the possibility of an affiliation. At that time, both facilities began what ultimately became a seven-month review of operating and governing documents to determine the viability of a partnership.

“The agreement represents a collaborative understanding of the industry, our patients, and our communities. Partnership will create promise that the very best coordinated and comprehensive health care can be found right here in southeast Iowa. It’s a new day; we simply can’t let history stand in the way of our future and doing what’s best for our patients,” commented Jeremy Alexander, CEO at Fort Madison Community Hospital.

Both healthcare organizations, as part of Great River Health, will maintain their identities including names, boards of directors, and administrative teams.

“Having a shared vision will help us provide higher quality health care. This partnership will create a stronger, local health system solely dedicated to serving the southeast Iowa region,” expressed Matt Wenzel, CEO at Great River Health.