FMCH breaks with Blessing; will close Keokuk clinic

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BY PCC STAFF

KEOKUK - Fort Madison Community Hospital announced Friday that it will be closing the Keokuk Medical Center after a decision to break with Blessing Health Systems.

In separate releases from FMCH and Blessing Health Systems, it was announced that the clinic will stop seeing patients on Aug. 31, but will remain open for four more weeks to allow for the transition of patient records.

FMCH officials indicated in their release that the partnership with Blessing Health System to operate Keokuk Medical Center (KMC) in Keokuk has been in place for the past three years.

"While this has been a successful joint effort, the determination has been made to discontinue the partnership between FMCH and Blessing, therefore, closing KMC. Patients will continue to be seen at KMC through August 31st," the release indicated. " KMC filled a void in health care in the Keokuk market during a difficult time. Since then, other healthcare providers in the region have expanded their primary healthcare services, leading to the decision to close Keokuk Medical Center, allowing FMCH and Blessing to focus on other strategic healthcare needs in the region."

Officials said Dr. Annette Oetken and Dr. Misty Bowen and their professional staff will continue to see patients through August 31st, 2018. Personal letters will be sent to all patients currently under the care of Dr. Oetken and Dr. Bowen with more details for continuity of care and how to attain their medical records. The KMC office will be open through September 28th for that purpose.

FMCH and Blessing are working with all of the team members at KMC to help them find new positions after the closing.

The center was opened in 2014 to help enhance access to primary healthcare services in Keokuk and surrounding communities. Since then, other healthcare providers in the region have expanded their primary healthcare services, leading to the decision to close the Keokuk Medical Center, allowing Fort Madison and Blessing to focus on other strategic healthcare needs in the region, according to the release.

Between now and August 31, Keokuk Medical Center staff will work with patients to help them find another provider.

Blessing Health System owns the Keokuk Medical Center building and will assess its future over the coming weeks.

 

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