Jackson County Board of Supervisors and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System Terminate Negotiations
Pascagoula, MS – October 25, 2023 – The Jackson County Board of Supervisors (BOS) and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) have made the joint decision to terminate ongoing discussions regarding the potential sale of SRHS. This decision follows months of dialogue and negotiations after FMOLHS was selected as the preferred buyer for Singing River Health System (SRHS) through a rigorous Request for Proposal (RFP) process in late March.
Both parties engaged in extensive negotiations in an effort to reach an agreement, but ultimately, consensus could not be achieved.
Ken Taylor, Board President, expressed confidence in the Board of Supervisors’ commitment to finding the ideal partner to fulfill SRHS’s long-term objectives and ensure the continuous delivery of top-quality patient care. “We remain resolute in our dedication to preserving SRHS’s exceptional legacy, which spans over eight decades,” Taylor affirmed.
“Our primary focus at Singing River is, and always will be, the well-being of our patients and the communities we serve. We will continue to work closely with the BOS to help us achieve our long-term goals and ensure our patients have the high-quality care they expect from Singing River,” said Laurin St. Pe, Interim CEO of Singing River Health System.
“Throughout the entire RFP process, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and SRHS have been very engaging and clearly committed to delivering quality healthcare to the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We have been quite impressed with SRHS and the County Board’s approach to their mission,” said Richard R. Vath, MD, President and CEO of FMOLHS. “At this unprecedented time of uncertainty in healthcare, we regret that both parties could not reach consensus. We wish the very best for Jackson County and SRHS in the future.”
Singing River Health System’s foremost goal remains to focus on the mission to improve health and save lives while ensuring uninterrupted access to comprehensive, high-quality care in our local communities.
CONTACT
Shannon Wall, Singing River Health System
(228) 313-0669
CONTACT
Alexandra Stubbs, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
(225) 526-4061
About Singing River Health System
Singing River Health System, a community-driven, not-for-profit healthcare provider, stands as one of the largest along the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas, with three hospital locations in Gulfport, Ocean Springs, and Pascagoula. Our extensive network includes 300 top-tier physicians and over 3,500 committed employees, all dedicated to delivering the highest level of quality care in the region. Distinguished as the sole Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery along the Gulf Coast and accredited by Blue Cross Blue Shield for Excellence in Maternity, Cardiac, and Spine Care, Singing River embodies a steadfast commitment to healthcare excellence. Actively contributing to the community’s well-being, we extend charitable assistance, spearhead educational initiatives, and engage in impactful community outreach programs. Through these efforts, we not only elevate local healthcare standards but also play a crucial role in our community’s economy by attracting and retaining skilled professionals. Through this dedication, Singing River Health System improves the overall health of its community, making it a better place to live and work.
About Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System is one of the largest healthcare systems based in Louisiana and is the leading healthcare provider for more than half the state’s population. The health system is a non-profit, Catholic organization sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the ministry serves patients in Louisiana and Mississippi through a network of hospitals, clinics, physicians and integrated health systems. The health system’s unified physician organization is comprised of more than 1,100 adult and pediatric primary care physicians and specialists. The system’s nine main campus hospitals include St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and Gonzales, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Heart Hospital, and Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Lafayette, Our Lady of the Angels in Bogalusa, and St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. For more information, visit fmolhs.org.