Good Shepherd Seeks Partner for Health System

LONGVIEW — Good Shepherd Health System, which has been struggling to achieve financial viability and meet federal standards, is seeking an affiliation with a non-profit health care system. The Longview News-Journal report members of its boards were given the news Tuesday evening. Steve Altmiller, president and CEO of the Longview-based hospital system, told hospital staff in a message Wednesday morning the move is intended to allow Good Shepherd Medical Center and its affiliates in Marshall, Kilgore, and elsewhere to continue providing community-based health care. The benefits, he said, would include the resources, experiences, and skills available in a larger health system. It also would provide financial resources needed for the hospital to make needed improvements, according to Altmiller.

“For the past two years we have sought to regain financial stability,” Altmiller wrote to staff. “At the same time changes in the industry have resulted in the need for increased size, scale and scope. This decision helps GSHS meet these needs at a much faster pace.” No information was provided about potential buyers for Good Shepherd, but likely system targets include Baylor Scott & White Health, which has about 45 hospitals in Texas; Christus Health, which has more than 40 hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Georgia, and Mexico; and Catholic Health Initiatives, which has more than 100 hospitals in Texas and 18 other states.

In early 2014, Colorado-based Catholic Health took ownership of Lufkin-based Memorial Health System of East Texas, pledging to invest $100 million in improvements. Officials say such an infusion would be critical for Good Shepherd, which in recent years has closed rural clinics and hospitals, cut staff, and sold real estate as it worked to repair long-ailing finances.