Baylor Scott & White Health and Fairfield Hospital District (FHD) have signed an affiliation agreement, promoting cooperation and enhancing health care in Freestone County, a primarily rural area of East Texas between Palestine and Waco along the I-45 corridor. FHD governs and oversees ETMC Fairfield, the only hospital in Freestone County, and plans to re-name the facility Freestone Medical Center when it takes over hospital operations at the end of the year.
In accordance with the agreement, Baylor Scott & White Health will provide advisory and educational services to FHD management and staff to improve operations and care, as well as provide access to other resources which smaller health care organizations typically do not have.
"We know a large number of patients in our community already travel west to Baylor Scott & White facilities in Waco or Temple for health services," says Tony Price, FHD executive director. "That's where their specialists are. So this relationship will benefit our community in addition to benefiting the medical center."
FHD's ETMC Fairfield serves not only the town of Fairfield, but a number of small East Texas communities such as Teague, Lanely and Buffalo among several others. The medical center provides both inpatient care and outpatient services, including imaging and laboratory services, and has a 24-hour emergency department designated a level IV trauma center. The medical center cares for about 2,000 patients a month in addition to receiving 750 monthly emergency department visits.
"ETMC Fairfield has an excellent reputation, and most importantly we share similar values," says Joel Allison, president and CEO, Baylor Scott & White. "This agreement will allow us to assist Fairfield Hospital District in enhancing its service to the community."
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest in Waco is the closest Baylor Scott & White medical center to FHD, so much of the guidance and consultation will come from administrative and clinical staff at that facility.
"We look forward to developing a closer relationship with this outstanding team of healthcare providers. We are already privileged to care for a number of patients from the greater Freestone County area seeking specialized care, and we are aligned in our desires to work together to further enhance the services provided in our respective regions," said Glenn Robinson, president, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest.
Robinson will act as Baylor Scott & White's representative at FHD Board meetings.
"Baylor Scott & White is so well known and what I'd consider the 'blue chip' of health care," says George Robinson, FHD board chair. "So I think it is going to be a wonderful fit for residents in this area."
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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com