MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Blount County Commission on Thursday approved the next step in Prisma Health’s partnership with Blount Memorial Hospital.

Prisma Health and Blount Memorial have been in talks for months as management works to determine the hospital’s future. In July, Prisma Health and Blount Memorial signed a letter of intent, paving the way for the hospital to join the Prisma system.

On Thursday, the county commission unanimously approved the Blount Memorial Hospital Lease Agreement. If all goes as planned, the deal will be completed on December 1.

Prisma Health is a not-for-profit company operating primarily in South Carolina. It is the state’s largest healthcare provider and operates 18 acute and specialty hospitals.

Previous Scope: Prisma Health leaders outline plans for Blount Memorial’s future

Prisma Health CEO and president Mark O’Halla said he looks forward to adding Blount Memorial to Prisma’s system.

“We are grateful to the Blount County Commissioners for their unanimous approval and confidence in Prisma Health’s ability to serve their community,” he said. “As this process evolved, we became more confident that Blount Memorial would be an outstanding addition to Prisma Health. “We appreciate everyone’s hard work to reach this milestone and look forward to welcoming the Blount team to our family on December 1.”

O’Halla’s sentiments were echoed by the hospital’s interim CEO, Jonathan Smith.

“The approvals received earlier today from the hospital board and now from the Blount County Commission are vital steps forward in our journey with Prisma Health,” Smith said. “This partnership promises to bring more resources and innovative care to our community, and we look forward to building a stronger future together. While we remain focused on delivering quality care and an excellent patient experience, we will leverage Prisma Health’s depth of local knowledge to improve health outcomes for patients in our communities.” “We look forward to blending his expertise.”

Previous Scope: Blount Memorial Hospital responds after mayor asks for UTMC’s approval to manage and operate the hospital

The latest news comes after Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell pushed to turn control of the hospital over to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Hospital leaders at the time pushed back, saying the move was overreach by the district.

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