(Photo of Blount Memorial Hospital, courtesy of Prisma Health)

Blount Memorial Hospital, a 304-bed non-profit community hospital located in Maryville, Tennessee, has chosen to join Greenville, South Carolina-based Prisma Health. The parties have signed a non-binding letter of intent and now enter a period of exclusive negotiations, due diligence and integration planning.

“The Blount Memorial board and leadership determined that joining a high-performing health system was a necessary next step to achieve next-level outcomes in patient care, operating efficiencies, and growth,” said Mark O’Halla, president and CEO of Prisma Health.

He added, “Health care is shifting to a multi-region model and the number of systems operating in multiple states is rapidly increasing. Expanding to desirable nearby markets with respected regional hospitals like Blount Memorial strengthens our scale, capabilities, relevance, resources, and attractiveness to top talent and industry partners – all attributes of leading health care organizations.”

“From our very first introduction to Prisma Health, we saw a strong commitment to always putting the patient first, which is something that Blount Memorial has focused on to ensure positive health outcomes for our patients and community,” said Blount Memorial Hospital interim CEO Jonathan Smith.

“The Prisma Health Board of Directors fully supports Blount Memorial joining our organization,” said Craig Brown, chair of the Prisma Health Board of Directors. “This is a positive initiative for us here in South Carolina as well since our patients and the communities we serve are the beneficiaries of a stronger, growing, more vibrant Prisma Health.”

July 18 kicked off a four-month exclusive negotiation, due diligence and integration planning period. During that time, both organizations will learn more about each other and begin planning for Blount Memorial to join Prisma Health officially in late 2024, officials said.

Prisma Health is a private nonprofit health company and the largest health-care organization in South Carolina. The company has 29,309 team members, 18 acute and specialty hospitals, 2,827 licensed beds, 305 practice sites, and more than 5,400 employed and independent clinicians across its clinically integrated inVio Health Network.

Prisma Health’s 21-county market area covers 50 percent of South Carolina.

Blount Memorial Hospital has more than 2,700 employees and 200 physicians working in clinical and nonclinical positions in 20 locations in Blount and Monroe counties. Key services include cancer, orthopedic, surgical and cardiac care.

The hospital was founded in 1947 through the efforts of local physicians, the county court, interested citizens and employees of the Aluminum Company of America. It is named in honor of Blount Countians who have died in the line of duty, those missing in action, and those who have served and continue to serve our country.