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June 18, 2009

CRMC, Woodland deal still on for July 15

By Tiffany Green

Woodland Medical Center is still scheduled to close July 15 after the buying process is complete by Cullman Regional Medical Center. Approval from the State Health Planning Development Agency has been received from both Woodland and CRMC.

CRMC and Woodland have submitted a transition plan for closure of Woodland and are now waiting approval for the Alabama Department of Public Health.

“Once that plan is approved, we will have more specific information regarding the transition process and timing,” Jim Weidner, CRMC’s CEO, said in a press release.

CRMC announced June 1 it was buying and closing Woodland

“The transaction is proceeding as expected. Both CRMC and Woodland have been communicating with various state and federal regulators to assure that the transaction is completed by July 15,” Weidner said in the release.

Questions still remain for some about Woodland Hills, the only in-patient psychiatric facility in Cullman. CRMC and Woodland officials met with the Alabama Department of Public Health last week regarding the sale.

“Because of the sale, CRMC must apply for a new provider number which involves a required survey by healthcare regulatory officials. Since those surveys are unannounced and unscheduled, there is no guarantee a survey will be conducted in time to keep the Woodland Hills facility open after July 15,” Weidner responded in the release.

Weidner said CRMC does have a plan for continuing psychiatric care and CRMC is now looking at future plans to reinstate adult inpatient psychiatric services for Cullman County.

“This is a top priority for CRMC leadership,” Weidner said. “Our number one goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible for patients. Woodland Hills will discontinue psychiatric services on July 15 and arrangements will be made to transfer any remaining patients to an appropriate setting.”

He went on to say CRMC will now be prepared to take any patients who come to the emergency room with behavioral heath needs.

“CRMC will stabilize those patients and, if necessary, make arrangements to have them transferred to a designated behavioral health facility in the area, such as Decatur General West,” Weidner said.

CRMC hopes to hire some of the Woodland employees after the July 15 closure. CRMC started interviewing on June 9 and many job offers have already been made and accepted. Many employees have received offers to transfer to other hospitals affiliated with Woodland, Weidner said.

CRMC and Woodland officials have said due to a confidentiality agreement they will not release the terms of the agreement, including the purchase price.

CRMC officials have previously said the buying of Woodland will be good for the community.

“We believe this makes perfect sense to consolidate,” said Stephen Donaldson, chairman of the CRMC board, in a previous interview. “We will have one facility running at a very efficient level

CRMC has yet to decide what they will do with the Woodland campus.



‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.

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