SSM Health acquisition expands medical care in Midwest City
SSM Health has acquired a Midwest City hospital to expand medical care in eastern Oklahoma County. The hospital is now undergoing a “facelift”.
Addison Kliewer, Oklahoman
Just after midnight on April 1, SSM Health took over operations of the Midwest City hospital formerly known as AllianceHealth Midwest.
The hospital at 2825 Parklawn Drive — now St. Anthony – Midwest — is an opportunity for SSM Health to offer expanded services for eastern Oklahoma County and surrounding communities, hospital president Dr. Kevin L. Lewis.
While SSM Health St. Anthony is committed to providing care in the growing eastern Oklahoma county, the health system lacked a “full acute care facility” to serve that community, he said.
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Patients who knew the hospital by its previous name will notice physical changes during the transition, but the staff at the hospital will not change. This week, SSM Health signs were already posted on the doors and outside the hospital and tarps in the lobby, which will be among the first parts of the hospital to get a facelift, Lewis said.
SSM Health has now entered into a long-term lease agreement with the city to manage the operations of the hospital, as well as the operations of the medical group and an ambulance service serving the area. As part of the transition, 14 health care providers based in Midwest City, Choctaw, Moore and Shawnee joined SSM Health Medical Group.
The location can also help SSM Health in its goal of expanding health care access to Oklahomans living in rural areas, Lewis said. While the health system has clinics and supports smaller hospitals in the area, not all services can be provided at these locations.
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“So having the opportunity to have this location, which would be the easiest urban location to access for many, many rural communities in many surrounding counties, helps us provide a really less intimidating place to come if you have to come to the city for those expanded services you need,” he said.
That way, the hospital isn't just for Midwest City, said City Manager Tim Lyon.
“This is their hospital for eastern Oklahoma County. It's not just Midwest City's hospital, it's Harrah's. It's McLoud's hospital, it's Choctaw's hospital,” Lyon said. “We want to provide quality health care throughout eastern Oklahoma County.”
Lyon said he looks forward to seeing the fruits of the new investment in the hospital's infrastructure and services.
“We wanted a partner that we knew could turn this hospital into a community hospital that we're all proud of and that we'll bring all of our family members to — not just from Midwest City but for all of eastern Oklahoma County. . ” he said. “We believe there is no better partner than SSM to do this.”
