CMH seeks merger

Bolivar-based Citizens Memorial Healthcare Foundation is set to merge with long-term health care facility Stockton Nursing Home Inc., pending approval from the nursing home's top donors, which will decide July 13.

The foundation, the fundraising arm of Citizens Memorial Healthcare, also operates the hospital's long-term care facilities, said Tamera Heitz-Peek, CMH director of marketing.

Stockton Nursing Home's membership consists of anyone who has donated $100 or more to the the nursing home, according to an article from the Cedar County Republican.

If the agreement is approved, CMH would purchase the nursing home's assets for $3.9 million, with the stipulation that the funding be used to renovate the current Stockton Nursing Home Facility or construct a new one within six years, according to the article.

The merger would become effective Sept. 1.

“In some ways, it is a very difficult decision to end our time as a community-owned facility. However, when presented with the opportunity to strengthen our future through a merger with a recognized leader in health care, the decision was rather easy to make,” said Melinda Gumm, president of the Stockton Nursing Home board of directors, in a news release. “This merger still requires the approval of our corporate membership, but we feel confident that our members will embrace the opportunity to partner with CMH."

CMH already has a Stockton presence, having operated Stockton Family Medical Center since 1989.

“Stockton Nursing Home has served the residents, employees and the Stockton community very well throughout its history,” CMH CEO Donald Babb said in the release. “As long-time providers of similar services, we are excited to have this opportunity to continue to provide quality service to existing and future residents of this facility, and to continue to provide quality health care to the Stockton community.”[[In-content Ad]]