Combining hospitals

The “Power of One” was the theme Monday when employees from Odessa Regional and Alliance hospitals celebrated coming together as Odessa Regional Medical Center.

The party closed down Muskingum Avenue between the two hospitals as employees held a cookout and received goody bags.

“We wanted to have the party on Muskingum,” Jacqui Gore, Odessa Regional director of community relations, said “because it’s a symbol of us coming together, neutral ground.”

Kathy Crumley, the staff accountant for Alliance, said she’s looking forward to working for her new employer.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s great to mingle with the new employees.”

Crumley said the combined hospital would also offer expanded medical and 401(k) benefits to former Alliance employees.

“As well as the patients, the employees have a broader range of services,” she said.

Odessa Regional is known for its women’s services, while Alliance was primarily considered a heart facility.

The long-rumored purchase of Alliance by Iasis Healthcare, the Franklin, Tenn.-based parent of Odessa Regional, was announced last month at a cost of $65.5 million.

On Monday, while listening to music, those participating in the cookout received door prizes, including televisions and Six Flags tickets.

Keith Hill, the director of Odessa Regional’s invitro fertilization laboratory, said he’s looking forward to a bridge connecting the two hospitals, especially on days with flooding rains. But, for now, it was nice to meet his future coworkers.

“It’s just a great time for everybody to get together and celebrate,” he said. “Two hospitals provide a much better range of services.”