Business

Rutherford hospital commits to Mission affiliation

By Bill Moss, Published: September 21, 2012

RUTHERFORDTON — After a search to identify the best possible long-term partner for its health system and community, Rutherford Regional Health System has decided to negotiate a formal affiliation agreement with Mission Health, the Asheville hospital said in a news release.

The Rutherford Regional Health System Board of Trustees voted unanimously to begin negotiating a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will detail the terms of the affiliation.

"We are honored that the leadership of Rutherford Regional Health System has selected Mission Health for a potential partnership," Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health, said in a news release. "In all of our discussions with Rutherford, we focused extensively on our unwavering commitment to quality, with a patient-centered focus in everything that we do. We look forward to working with Rutherford Regional Health System on a successful negotiation and are confident that by combining the resources, talent and experience of both organizations, we can ensure that care remains available close to home."