Hospital partnership healthy for region

Deaconess Illinois and Ferrell Hospital Foundation are expanding their affiliation starting this month.

The new partnership will allow for better access to higher level service, not already offered at Ferrell Hospital. Deaconess will be able to help Ferrell recruit and place better services and service providers.

"The new relationship with Deaconess will provide our community with an infusion of new resources that will allow patients to get the care they need and deserve closer to home, while at the same time providing a much needed structure for referral when a higher level of care is required." said Dr. Nate Oldham, chief of staff. "The Deaconess name is synonymous with high quality healthcare and we at Ferrell are proud to have them as partners as we try to inspire change towards a healthier southern Illinois."

Plans for 2016 include an expansion of the general surgery program at Ferrell, the addition of digital mammography, and continuation of the pain clinic that opened last year.

The partnership plans started back in 2014. The beginning of this year brought with it a revised plan that will benefit everyone. It grew and got better.

"Ferrell Hospital Board of Directors unanimously agreed this step forward in our relationship with Deaconess would add value and quality in the future of healthcare provided at Ferrell Hospital, not only in Eldorado, but also Saline County and the surrounding areas," said Gene Morris, Ferrell's chairman of the board.

Deaconess Illinois will continue to employ key leaders in the Ferrell organization and support increased access to specialists and outpatient services in Eldorado.

Alisa Coleman, Ferrell CEO, said, "We are very excited about the opportunities to build upon the great traditions of quality healthcare that this expanded relationship brings to Ferrell Hospital and southern Illinois."

In the coming months, Deaconess Illinois and Ferrell will begin to co-brand services. But Ferrell will remain a local, independent hospital dedicated to providing exceptional care to the people in south eastern Illinois.