09 Feb 2015 White County Medical Center changes name to Unity Health
White County Medical Center of Searcy has announced a name change of its organization to Unity Health to reflect recent growth.
The hospital announced in December 2014 its plan to purchase Harris Hospital and its 12 affiliated clinics in Newport, encouraging a system name change, which was already being considered. The purchase was finalized on Feb. 1.
“As we partner with Harris Hospital, a name change has become a clear next step,” said Ray Montgomery, president/CEO of Unity Health. “Before we made any move in that direction, we wanted to be sure that the communities we serve were included in the discussion. WCMC conducted focus groups that consisted of community members and hospital associates. The outcome was not only that this makes sense – if we plan to expand – but also that the name ‘Unity Health’ would convey our unifying front with a neighboring hospital and multiple clinics; as well as our service standards to our communities. We are excited about the future of healthcare in our region.
“The names on the building will not change anything inside the walls of White County Medical Center (now Unity Health – White County Medical Center), White County Medical Center South Campus (Unity Health – Specialty Care) and Harris Hospital (now Unity Health – Harris Medical Center). The compassionate care that has always been provided will remain the same.”
In addition to the new name, a new logo has also been created to represent the growing changes, services and locations. The “Unity” symbol is an artistic representation of a medical cross. The components of the new logo represent the campuses and clinics uniting to form one medical network and represent the strength of the Unity Health organization as a whole. The four links also symbolize the areas of health and wellness Unity Health strives to help heal: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
The alignment of the two neighboring hospitals and the recent addition of a family practice clinic in Heber Springs brings changes and opportunities for healthcare to citizens in White County, Jackson County, Cleburne County and the surrounding region. The two hospitals will utilize their combined talent and resources to enhance access to care and improve clinical quality and service to their communities and decrease costs through shared efficiencies and purchasing opportunities.
“Healthcare is undergoing major changes,” Montgomery said. “In order to position our organizations to continue providing the best care possible for our communities, Unity Health – White County Medical Center and Unity Health – Harris Medical Center are joining forces which will in turn enhance our communities. Each hospital has a long tradition of providing healthcare for their respective communities. Our goal is to support and enhance local services.”
Unity Health – White County Medical Center is among the state’s most comprehensive rural not-for-profit healthcare providers, which includes; two hospital campuses in Searcy as well as multiple physician clinics and centers. With the addition of Unity Health – Harris Medical Center, Unity Health will be positioned to provide even broader reaching services to Jackson County and surrounding areas.
ABOUT UNITY HEALTH – WHITE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (SEARCY)
As the leading healthcare provider in a six-county area, Unity Health associates strive to improve the quality of health and well-being for the communities it serves through compassionate care. Unity Health – White County Medical Center is the largest employer in a six-county area with more than 1,750 associates. The facility has a combined total of 438 licensed beds and a medical staff of 150 physicians that specialize in various areas of healthcare.
In addition to Unity Health – White County Medical Center and Unity Health – Specialty Care, Unity Health includes Clarity Health and Wellness, Family Practice Associates, McAfee Medical Clinics, Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Searcy Medical Center and Searcy Medical Center – West Clinic, Westside Family Medical Clinic, Unity Health Cardiology Clinic (formerly WCMC Cardiology Clinic) and Unity Health Oncology Clinic (formerly White County Oncology). All will adopt the addition of “Unity Health” to their clinic names.
ABOUT UNITY HEALTH – HARRIS MEDICAL CENTER (NEWPORT):
Unity Health – Harris Medical Center is a 133-bed facility with complete inpatient and outpatient care. The Unity Health – Harris Medical Center staff believes in the power of people to create great care. Unity Health – Harris Medical Center is more than 225 healthcare professionals strong and work hard every day to create a place of healing, caring and connection for patients and families in the community they call home.
In addition to the main campus, Harris Hospital’s network includes Harris Medical Clinic, Harris Family Practice Clinic, Green Family Practice Clinic, Harris OB/GYN Clinic, Harris Podiatry Clinic, Harris Orthopedic Clinic, Harris Surgical Clinic, Harris Pediatric Clinic, Harris Internal Medicine Clinic-East, Harris Primary Care Clinic, Newport Primary Care Clinic, Newport Cardiology Clinic and the Newport Pediatric Clinic, which will also adopt the addition of “Unity Health” to their clinic names.
