MU Health Care announces intent to integrate with Capital Region Medical Center

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two Mid-Missouri health care systems announced their intention to integrate on Thursday.

According to a news release, leaders from MU Health Care and affiliate Capital Region Medical Center signed a letter of intent to "fully integrate their health systems."

The two systems have been affiliated for more than 25 years. MU Health Care serves patients in 114 counties and offers a variety of facilities. Capital Region Medical Center, which is in Jefferson City, includes a hospital, cancer center and clinics across eight counties.

"The health care industry has changed since our partnership began. We must evolve to continue serving our communities while creating new opportunities for our patients and employees," said Gaspare Calvaruso, Capital Region Medical Center president. "As the health care industry landscape changes, we continue to see more frequent integration of community hospitals with larger health systems for efficiency and to create a more sustainable model of care."

The news release said that combining the systems will offer new opportunities in the medical and academic fields.

"Combining the strength of a community hospital with the expertise of a premier academic health system has delivered a higher level of care to mid-Missouri and we are eager to build on that success," Nim Chinniah, University of Missouri's vice chancellor for health affairs, said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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