Baylor Health Care System and Glen Rose Medical Center Bringing Specialized Care to Somervell County

DALLAS, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Like many smaller towns, Glen Rose has long had a limited number of specialized physicians. However, that's changing thanks to the combined efforts of Glen Rose Medical Center (GRMC) and Baylor Health Care System. Certain specialists from Baylor's HealthTexas Provider Network will regularly rotate to GRMC to see patients from Glen Rose and surrounding communities.

"This is part of our ongoing collaboration with Glen Rose Medical Center," says Bruce Miller, Baylor's regional services director for the Western region. "We worked with the physicians here as well as hospital administration to identify community needs when it came to medical specialties and sub-specialties, then looked to fill those needs."

Initially, only specialists in cardiology, urology, orthpaedic spine surgery, otolaryngology (ears, nose and throat) and podiatry will be visiting GRMC. However, based largely on community need, other specialists could begin rotations in the future.

New signage reading "Baylor Signature Care" has gone up on the GRMC campus in recognition of the two health care organizations' ongoing commitment to Somervell County. Baylor and GRMC first signed an affiliation agreement in 2008, which has allowed GRMC to take advantage of Baylor's purchasing efficiencies and advisory expertise.

"This is another great step forward in our relationship with Baylor," says GRMC CEO Gary Marks. "We appreciate–and I know our patients will appreciate–the services that these specialists provide. Until now, Glen Rose residents had to travel to Dallas or Fort Worth for this kind of specialized care, now it's right here in their own backyard."

About Baylor Health Care System

Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor recorded more than 2.6 million patient encounters, $3.8 billion in total operating revenue, $4.4 billion in total assets and $513.5 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010. Baylor's network of more than 260 access points includes 26 owned/operated/ventured/affiliated hospitals, 23 joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers, 50 satellite outpatient locations, four senior centers and 156 HealthTexas physician clinics.

About Glen Rose Medical Center

Glen Rose Medical Center traces its beginnings to Hanna Hospital established at Old Barnards Mill in 1945. Through changes in name and ownership and the addition of a nursing and rehab center and a physician's clinic, the hospital remains in the community caring for the residents of Glen Rose and the surrounding area.

Since 1990, millions of dollars of renovations and state-of-the-art technology have been added. In January 2009, the governance of Glen Rose Medical Center was transferred to the Somervell County Health Care Authority Board. The hospital is governed by a seven-member board of committed community volunteers which oversees the work of hospital's experienced administrative staff, makes recommendations for improvements and approves all budgeted items.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System's subsidiary community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Glen Rose Medical Center.

SOURCE Baylor Health Care System