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No More Objections to Methodist Hospital in Olive Branch

With Baptist Memorial Health Care’s decision not to pursue their previous objections, Methodist Healthcare is moving ahead with plans to build a new hospital in Olive Branch.

Methodist is pleased to be able to move forward with building a hospital in Olive Branch,” said David Baytos, senior vice-president, CEO of Mississippi & International Healthcare Services.  “The citizens deserve this access and choice.”

Baptist, which operates a hospital in Southaven, has spent the past several years objecting to Methodist’s plans to open a facility in Olive Branch. After the state health department gave its stamp of approval to Methodist’s Certificate of Need (CON) application, Baptist announced on Aug. 18 that it is dropping its efforts.

“Our primary concerns have always been that Methodist follow the certificate of need process and offer a wide range of services, just like every other hospital in this area," said Greg Duckett, senior vice-president and corporate counsel for Baptist. "They received State Department of Health approval for this project, and, according to their leadership, they plan to offer services - including labor and delivery and emergency care - that cater to a variety of North Mississippians.

According to Duckett, research shows that during the past year 30 percent of Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto's emergency department patients did not have insurance, and 70 percent of the hospital's labor and delivery patients had Medicaid.

“Marshall County is one of the most medically underserved counties in the country,” he continued. “Therefore, we know there is a tremendous need for all hospitals in this area to provide access to a wide range of patients, including those with Medicaid or no insurance."

When the Mississippi State Board of Health revised the State Health Plan to allow for the construction of an Olive Branch hospital, Methodist agreed to a number of conditions imposed by the board. These conditions include requirements that the new hospital provide levels of indigent care and Medicaid care in excess of the average of hospitals in the service area, and that the hospital fully participate in the Mississippi Trauma Care System. 

“Moving forward our plans will be to select a team including architect, engineers, and a construction manager and begin the various approval processes with the City of Olive Branch,” Baytos said. “A timeline for the project will be developed once the construction team is hired, hospital plans are finalized and all appropriate state and local approvals obtained.”

State Senator Merle Flowers of Olive Branch is on a long list of local officials who have worked tirelessly to make the hospital a reality.

"We have fought for over 10 years for a new hospital in Olive Branch, and we are on the cusp of Methodist LeBonheur building a 100 bed facility here," said Flowers (R-Olive Branch). "While the process has been long and tedious, I want to thank Methodist officials for their steadfast commitment to providing more access to healthcare for our people, and also thank Baptist Hospital for recognizing that Methodist followed proper credentialing protocols in obtaining a CON from the state. 

“This is a great victory for Olive Branch, but also for the thousands of folks that will be seeking healthcare for a loved one in a time of need.  I'm on cloud nine," Flowers added.

It doesn’t look like much at the present time, but work is scheduled to begin in the near future to make the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 78 and Bethel Road into the long-anticipated Olive Branch hospital. (Photos by Jamie Mercer)