After taking over the management operations of the Clinton County Hospital in early February of this year, the ownership change became official last week with the arrival of April 1, 2016.

That marked the date that the local hospital officially changed from the Clinton County Hospital to it’s new name that reflects the new ownership, the Medical Center at Albany.

The development was announced last week in a press release sent to the Clinton County News that gave more details about the acquisition process.

Clinton County Hospital, which has served the residents of Clinton and surrounding counties since 1951, is now The Medical Center at Albany following the acquisition of the hospital by Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC), parent company of The Medical Center.

The Medical Center at Albany will continue to operate as a 42-bed, not-for-profit acute care hospital and provide needed access to healthcare for area residents.

CHC assumed management of Clinton County Hospital on February 4, 2016. In October 2015 CHC was asked by Clinton County Hospital to evaluate operations at the hospital to determine the feasibility of acquiring the hospital.

“CHC brings a tremendous amount of healthcare experience and resources to the Clinton County community,” said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of CHC and The Medical Center. “The Medical Center at Albany will ensure that residents have access to quality care close to home through improved and expanded services.”

“Since assuming management of Clinton County Hospital for nearly two months, CHC has been welcomed into the community with open arms,” said Eric Hagan, Vice President of CHC, who is serving as Interim Administrator for The Medical Center at Albany. “The Clinton County community has a beautiful facility that is staffed by highly qualified, experienced and compassionate employees. We look forward to building upon what Clinton County Hospital established during its nearly 65-year history by expanding services and enhancing quality of care.”

With the addition of The Medical Center at Albany to its family of hospitals, CHC now operates six acute care hospitals in Southcentral Kentucky including The Medical Centers in Bowling Green, Caverna, Franklin and Scottsville and Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital in Bowling Green. CHC employs over 3,500 healthcare workers with a medical staff that includes over 350 physicians.