Boone Health Becomes Independent Health Care Provider
Media Contact: Ben Cornelius | ben.cornelius@boone.health
Boone Health Becomes Independent Health Care Provider
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In April of 2016, the Boone Hospital Center Board of Trustees
announced that they would issue a Request for Proposal to evaluate options for
the management of the hospital moving forward.
In April of 2017, the Trustees narrowed their focus to five options – a new lease
with BJC HealthCare, a lease with Duke LifePoint Healthcare, a lease with Saint
Luke’s Health System, a partnership with MU Health Care or operating Boone as
an independent hospital.
In August of 2017, the Trustees entered into exclusive, non-binding negotiations
with MU Health Care to explore the viability of a relationship.
In August of 2019, the Trustees made the decision to focus on operating Boone
Hospital Center as locally controlled, independent community hospital. In this
process, Boone Health was formed as an umbrella organization with an 11-
member board that would manage Boone Hospital Center, Boone Home Care
and Hospice and Boone Medical Group as well as the relationships with private
practice clinics and affiliated hospitals.
After 32 years as a part of the BJC HealthCare system, on April 1, 2021, Boone
Health has officially become an independent health care organization.
“Under the management of BJC HealthCare, Boone became synonomys with
quality health care,” says Jerry Kennett, MD, Board Chair. “For those 32 years,
Boone delivered high-quality outcomes, resulting in countless state-wide and
national recognitions and designations from institutions such as the U.S. Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid, US News and World Report among many others.
Being a part of BJC HealthCare has helped prepare Boone to be a successful
independent health care provider and we thank them for their leadership.”
Separating a hospital from a health care system after more than three decades is
a monumental task. 32 years ago, when Boone County Hospital joined Christian
Hospital in what would become BJC HealthCare, the hospital used one computer
system for patient registration and accounting. Radiology images were printed on
film and patient medical records were on paper and stored in a large room with
an elaborate filing and retrieval process.
Over the past year, Boone Health has transitioned over 150 software applications
including the installation of MEDITECH, a new electronic health record system.
More than 160 employees have been hired to fill roles previously handled by BJC
shared services including roles in information technology, human resources,
benefits, compliance, supply chain and managed care. All while remaining a fully
functioning hospital during a pandemic.
During go-live, 25,000 patient appointments had to be manually plugged in to
MEDITECH. 2,400 computers had to be replaced. Hundreds of imaging and
medical devices had to be converted to the new network. Over 180 support staff
from various vendors will be onsite for a couple weeks to assist with post live
activities. With all this activity, patient care remained the focus. Every patient was
visited by a Boone staff member who explained what was happening at the
hospital and provided a goody bag.
“The effort put forth by Boone employees and BJC HealthCare employees to
ensure a smooth transition has been extrodinary,” says Troy Greer, CEO of
Boone Health. “I have been so impressed by the dedication of our team and their
willingness to do whatever it takes to make Boone Health great. There is no
doubt that we are on the path to becoming a successful independent health care
provider focused on the needs of our local community.”