ProMedica keeps up talks with Memorial
3/16/2012FREMONT -- ProMedica and Memorial Hospital in Fremont have agreed to continue affiliation discussions through April, a ProMedica spokesman said Thursday.
ProMedica is continuing to do due diligence on Memorial Hospital after the two announced in late December they were negotiating an affiliation. At the time, transaction terms and due diligence were expected to be completed in 90 days.
Memorial Hospital, meanwhile, last week signed a lease for the property that housed its sole Fremont competitor, Physician's Choice Hospital LLC.
The 50-employee Physician's Choice Hospital closed this week and had eight medical/surgical beds, an emergency department, laboratory, and radiology services.
Dr. Leilani LaBianco, one of Physician's Choice owners, said the hospital was behind on rent but finalizing a deal with Mercy to manage the financially troubled business. There is no possibility of opening the hospital elsewhere, she said.
The property's owner, also a part-owner of Physician's Choice, approached Memorial Hospital about leasing the property, according to Memorial Hospital. The hospital board soon will explore opportunities for the property, according to a hospital news release.