Despite the widespread financial stress of hospitals, caused in large part by reduced medicaid and medicare reimbursments, hospital authority chairman Grist stated there have been several calls from companies leasing hospitals across the Southeast.

Grist also noted there have been several conversations with officials at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan which has long been the recipient of the majority of patient transfers and doctor referrals for many years.

Archbold Memorial Hospital officials announced Jan. 18 that after almost 15 years it will end its agreement to manage Early Memorial Hospital and Early Memorial Nursing Home effective Sept. 30, 2010.

While the search is underway to find an affiliate for the hospital, negotiations are also underway for the Sept. 30 severance from Archbold. “For instance, we don’t even know who owns the bed pans,” Grist stated with a chuckle.

The hospital authority has already scheduled several special meetings. Called meetings of the hospital authority have been scheduled as follows: Wednesday, Feb.3 at 3 p.m. in the Early Memorial Nursing Home Parlor; Friday, Feb.5 at noon in the Hospital Conference Room; and Monday, Feb.15 at noon in the Hospital Conference Room.