Plan to keep Doniphan hospital open gains new partner

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A plan to keep a hospital operating in Doniphan gained an important new partner.

The Ripley County Commission on Tuesday approved a recommendation from the public hospital board to allow Tornare LLC of Columbia, Missouri, to join Missouri Highlands Health Care (MHC) in negotiations with SoutheastHEALTH.

Meanwhile the clock is ticking toward the expected departure of SoutheastHEALTH perhaps by the end of August.

On a 3-0 vote, the commission approved a 'memorandum of understanding' for MHC and Tornare to collaborate to find solutions to keep Ripley County Memorial Hospital open, including a 24-hour emergency room.

Step one will include obtaining financial numbers from Southeast regarding operation costs and revenue at the Doniphan hospital and clinics. A feasibility study by auditors also is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

MHC chief executive officer Karen White was joined by Tornare CEO Don Peterson in answering questions from the commissioners.

Presiding commissioner Bill Kennon said he is optimistic the hospital will remain open. However, he cautioned several steps remain to be completed.

"I don't want this to be a big announcement that we've saved the hospital," he said. "We are on track, but we still have to see the (financial) numbers."