University of Mississippi Medical Center mulls HMA affiliation

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is considering an affiliation with Health Management Associates, a for-profit, 54-hospital health system based in Naples, Fla. In a news release, officials from 581-bed UMMC said the possible agreement could provide more access to resources, including improved services for chronic-disease management.

“In this new era of healthcare, none of us can stand alone anymore,” Dr. James Keeton, University of Mississippi Medical Center's vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the school of medicine, said in the release. “We have to collaborate to survive. This is not only in our interest but, more importantly, the interest of our students and patients.”

Although the details of affiliation have not been decided upon, one scenario would allow UMMC and Health Management Associates to work together to boost in-hospital educational and training opportunities for physicians in the face of a looming statewide shortage.

“Doing so would enhance UMMC's ability to grow the number of physicians in Mississippi, which lags behind nearly every other state in its per-capita supply and distribution of doctors,” according to the release.