WHMC, doctors target Oct. 1 partnership

Whitman Hospital and Medical Center and the Whitman Medical Group announced Monday night the two currently separate entities will enter a partnership with an Oct. 1 target date for the transition.

The hospital has an existing agreement with the clinic to contract doctors to cover the ER and hospital patients, however the two medical facilities shared little else other than parking.

According to Laurie Gronning, WHMC public relations specialist, they anticipate little to no impact to patients in the change and will maintain operations as much as possible.

The move was spurred by current health care issues prompting the clinic and hospital to look for different ways to maintain services. The hospital will be able to help look for doctors to replace those leaving or retiring from the clinic.

The hospital board of commissioners decided on the change at its June 19 meeting. The public announcement was made at a meeting of hospital and clinic leadership.

While details of the partnership have not been iron out yet, Gronning said the hospital wanted the information to be passed to the public as soon as possible.