Methodist Healthcare Strikes Deal With Eagle Ford Shale hospital

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San Antonio’s Methodist Healthcare System has entered into an agreement with the Frio Hospital District Board of Directors and will take over administration and management of Frio Regional Hospital in Pearsall in the Eagle Ford Shale area.

By Scott Bailey

San Antonio Business Journal

San Antonio’s Methodist Healthcare System has entered into an agreement with the Frio Hospital District Board of Directors and will take over administration and management of Frio Regional Hospital in Pearsall in the Eagle Ford Shale area.

Methodist operates several hospitals and other medical facilities in the Greater San Antonio area. However, under the agreement with Frio, Methodist will provide strategic planning, information technology, human resources, marketing, financial accountability, purchasing, compliance, risk management and pastoral care — to Frio Regional Hospital.

The 22-bed facility provides 24-hour emergency and general acute care, as well as outpatient, surgical and obstetrical services.

Geoffrey Crabtree, senior vice-president for Methodist Healthcare, said the organization is no stranger to Pearsall. The hospital system established an airbase for its Methodist AirCare medical transport program in the area several years ago.

“We know the importance of serving our rural communities,” Crabtree said, adding that the management contract with Frio will further extend Methodist’s reach in South Texas.

This is not the first time Methodist has provided such services outside Bexar County. Methodist previously struck similar agreements with Medina Regional Hospital in Hondo, Texas, and with Val Verde Regional Medical Center in Del Rio, Texas.

Frio Hospital Association board member Frankie Petty said the new alliance with Methodist will allow Frio Regional Hospital to broaden its reach and scope of services.

Methodist’s team will work closely with staff and board members of Frio Regional Hospital over the next few weeks to solidify the scope of the four-year agreement. Michael Thompson will continue to serve as CEO of the Frio hospital but will now work for Methodist.