New owners have secured financing, pledge continued operations

News Release

The Batesville hospital, known as Panola Medical Center, will change hands officially next week.

The current owner, Curae Health, filed for bankruptcy affecting three Mississippi hospitals in Amory, Clarksdale and Batesville.  North Mississippi Medical Center purchased Gilmore in Amory and Coahoma County re-engaged CHS last month to take back management responsibilities of Northwest Regional in Clarksdale.

Progressive Medical Management of Batesville, LLC is the stalking horse bidder in the bankruptcy proceedings set to purchase Panola Medical Center.  Led by Oxford Attorney and former Jackson city councilman Quentin Whitwell, Progressive has three other partners — Dr. Kenneth Williams who has successfully run the hospital in Holly Springs for 20 years, Ashoke “Bappa” Mukherji of Java Medical Group in Nashville who recently acquired two other Curae owned hospitals in Alabama, and Mark Schneider, CEO of Vizion Health, a psychiatric services management team based in Charlotte, N.C.

The transition from Curae to Progressive took place at midnight on Feb. 28, but the final closing was delayed in order for Progressive to secure funds from its lender, Guaranty Bank and Trust, with operations locally. The funding for closing is set to take place next week.

“We are appreciative of the local community’s support for this fabulous facility and thrilled to maintain the 383 jobs this hospital offers,” said Quentin Whitwell, Progressive’s managing member.  “We have worked around the clock to make this transition happen. The psychiatric facility will remain open as well as all operations at the hospital and clinics.”

When asked about the services residents should expect, Whitwell had this to offer, “Our team is working with the doctors and staff to maintain all of the hospital’s current areas of service and has plans to add orthopedic, hospice, physical therapy and ambulatory care services. We are not giving up any beds or reducing services. In fact, the 25 long term acute care beds currently in abeyance will be revitalized in the near future. This is truly a monumental opportunity for the community to keep its hospital and be proud to go there for treatment.”

Progressive is scheduled to appear before the bankruptcy court on Tuesday at 1 p.m. to finalize the plans for purchasing the facility.