SoutheastHealth intends to join Mercy Health Network

(Cape Girardeau; Southeast, Mo) SoutheastHealth has signed a letter of intent with St. Louis-based Mercy to join the health system as a full member.

Joe Poelker is a Senior Media Relations Specialist for Mercy hospital. He says the letter of intent culminates a search process involving the SoutheastHealth selection committee, Southeast Hospital board of directors and SoutheastHEalth System board of directors.

The alignment of the two health systems has the full support of the board of directors and is being communicated to employees and physicians at a series of meetings.

A definitive agreement is hoped be completed this summer with integration taking place this fall.

The SoutheastHealth network consists of more than 51 care locations in 11 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area.

The SoutheastHealth network will join Mercy’s network which is one of the 25 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health.

Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies.