Rush Foundation Hospital of Meridian has merged with H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital in Quitman.

The acquisition was completed Aug. 1.

“We believe this is a great addition to our healthcare group as we strive to provide compassionate care to the citizens of East Central Mississippi and West Alabama,” Wallace Strickland, president and chief executive officer of Rush Foundation Hospital said in a press release issued Thursday.

While the name of the hospital will not change, there will be improvements — beginning with seven-day, 24-hour emergency room coverage with a physician on duty at H.C. Watkins, said Donnie Smith, vice president of human resources and public relations at Rush.

“We want to make sure we’re providing the best health care we can to the citizens of Clarke County,” Smith said.

The starting date for the new emergency room coverage is not yet known, but Smith said it will be “real soon.”

Fred Rogers, Rush vice president and chief resource officer, is assessing any other needed improvements to the hospital.

“Fred’s developing a list of things that need to be done right now. They’ve got a great hospital there, but he’s making sure systems are working correctly,” Smith said.

“Watkins is a great hospital with wonderful employees. We just want to help them provide the best care we can for that area.”

H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital was opened in 1940 in Quitman by Dr. Horace Clement Watkins, who saw the need for Clarke County residents to have a hospital.

In the 1970s, a new 50-bed acute care hospital was built at 605 S. Archusa Ave. In the 1990s Watkins Memorial added an extended care facility for those requiring nursing home and personal care services under the direction of Charles W. Shepherd, hospital administrator.

In January 2004, Watkins Memorial Hospital was certified by the Mississippi State Department of Health as a Critical Access Hospital that required a decrease in bed size to 25 for acute care and swing bed care.

Watkins Memorial Hospital will feature the following services: full-service emergency department 24 hours a day; rehabilitative services — inpatient and outpatient services including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy; same-day surgery; intensive outpatient behavioral program for senior citizens; extended care nursing home facility; radiology/CT/ultrasound/mobile MRI and X-ray services; laboratory; pharmacy; respiratory therapy; social services; central supply and purchasing; support services; financial and related departments; and health information management.

In the news release, Watkins Hospital Administrator Fred Truesdale said: “Employees, community and the medical staff are very supportive of their community and the hospital.”

Rush Foundation Hospital is a subsidiary of Rush Health Systems, a comprehensive healthcare organization that also includes The Specialty Hospital of Meridian, Medical Foundation Inc., Rush Medical Group, Rush Homecare, Laird Hospital and J.G. Alexander Nursing Center.

“We look forward to working with the medical staff and employees of Watkins Hospital to continue to ensure that the community has access to quality local healthcare while providing an economic base for the community and surrounding areas,” said Chuck Reece, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Rush Foundation Hospital.



Senior staff writer Ida Brown contributed to this report.