The Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) Board of Trustees met for the final time on Tuesday. The Board of Trustees, comprised of the Hardin County Judge/Executive and Hardin County magistrates, provided leadership to HMH since it was founded 66 years ago.
HMH President and CEO Dennis Johnson praised the Board for their altruistic leadership.
“Your strong leadership led to HMH’s tremendous growth over the last 10 years,” Johnson said. “I want to emphasize and make clear that this Board never let politics guide their decisions. These men and women made decisions based on the best interests of patients – not only patients from Hardin County, but also those who live in the other nine counties in the HMH service area.”
Johnson also commended the Board’s willingness to take risks and explore the possibility of merging with a larger healthcare system even when it meant many would give up board leadership.
“We as Hardin County leaders had the unique opportunity to influence and grow our county-owned hospital and to celebrate countless successes over the last 66 years,” said Hardin County Judge/Executive and HMH Board Chairman Harry L. Berry. “HMH’s success comes because of its people and its culture. That is what makes HMH so special. When the name changes, Baptist Health Hardin (BHH) will still have these special people and this special culture.”
“Our entire region has prospered because of HMH’s growth,” said Garry King, HMH board member and Hardin County magistrate. “We have made some important decisions to keep HMH strong and we have come a long way. I know selling to Baptist Health is the best option to ensure we can keep giving Central Kentucky citizens the care they deserve.”
“This last HMH Board of Trustees meeting is bittersweet,” said Fred Clem, HMH board member and Hardin County magistrate. “I feel very blessed to have been a part of the Board and to have had a small hand in Hardin Memorial Health’s leadership over the last 10 years. Generations to come will have even more access to quality healthcare. Great days are ahead for the patients and staff as Baptist Health Hardin.”
Baptist Health will acquire HMH on September 1, 2020. At that point, BHH will be managed by a newly established advisory board.
