Manistee hospital to join Munson Healthcare of Traverse City

MANISTEE — West Shore Medical Center in Manistee would integrate into Munson Healthcare in Traverse City under a final agreement approved this week.

The agreement, backed by trustees at West Shore Medical Center, includes the 25-bed hospital, plus an ambulance service, medical practices, and outpatient clinics in Manistee, Bear Lake and Wellston.

Munson Healthcare would invest an estimated $23.5 million for local health care services and facilities in Manistee County, plus pay $1.5 million to Manistee County to buy the land originally donated to construct the hospital in 1970.

The Manistee County Board of Commissioners endorsed the agreement this week and approved a restructuring plan to transition West Shore from a municipal health corporation to a private nonprofit corporation.

The deal could close in early 2017, pending regulatory approval. West Shore Medical Center’s name would change to Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital.

“Munson Healthcare has been a trusted partner for years, and we share a commitment to delivering health care as close to home as possible,” West Shore Board Chair John Hoch said. “This agreement will ensure continued access to local health care in Manistee County for years to come, including continued local oversight of management, medical staff and employees at the hospital, and continued operation of the hospital’s advanced life support EMS ambulance service.”