Local physicians are again treating patients at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, which is now under management of Ascension-an arrangement which became official May 15, 2017.

Under the previous management of Capella Healthcare, the medical facility provided its own medical staff under a hospitalist. When physicians were brought in from out of town to deliver medical care, the number of transfers increased tremendously. 

The local hospital, now owned by Ascension, the parent company of St. Thomas Healthcare Ministries, approached local physicians concerned about the facility’s survival due to low census numbers.

While the hospitalists offer 24-hour, seven-day-a-week coverage, local physicians will now be making rounds at St. Thomas DeKalb.

“We’re excited to work with Family Medical Center physicians to provide high-quality hospitalist care to our community,” said Andy Wachtel, CEO and president of S. Thomas Stones River, Highlands and DeKalb hospitals.

“These physicians are longtime members of our community and our medical staff. This new relationship will further strengthen those ties between two organizations, and our friends and family in the community will be cared for by physicians they may likely know already,” Wachtel noted.

Saint Thomas Health is part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system.

 “People didn’t like the arrangement under Capella,” Dr. Steven Cooper told the Smithville Review. “They felt the quality had declined, and the census had fallen some.

“We recognize that a small community needs a hospital to stabilize people. There’s a lot of things you can take care of at a local level without having to transfer people,” Dr. Cooper continued.

“We felt like we needed to come in and take the reins again. We are all happy with the arrangement and see it as a win-win,” he concluded.

Dr. Steve Cooper, Dr. Kevin Rhody, Dr. Jack Rhody, Dr. Jim Sherwood and Dr. Doug Hooper will be making rounds once again at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

Visit www.smithvillereview.com for article of St. Thomas Health’s partnership with MDSave an online healthcare marketplace developed to help local residents without insurance or with high deductible health plans save money.