RICHARDS MEMORIAL AND BLACKHAWK HEALTHCARE CELEBRATION
Rockdale, Texas (November 13, 2006) Approximately 150 people were on hand Saturday night for a ceremony to celebrate of the recent merger between Richards Memorial Healthcare System and Blackhawk Healthcare. The presentation began with a thank you from board president, John M. Weed, M.D., to all those who have supported Richards Memorial Hospital and Rockdale Hospital District. He went on to explain a little about the late Dr. Richards and his vision of creating Richards Memorial Hospital. Dr. Weed went on to explain that Jeff Madison, CEO of Richards Memorial Hospital, has a vision for the future of healthcare in Milam and surrounding counties and together, with the board, decided to merge with Blackhawk Healthcare. The merger will create opportunity for expansion, new and remodeled facilities, and better technology. In creating a new healthcare system, Dr. Weed told a story about a river that has always divided Milam County and that Mike L. Locklear, M.D. really wanted to incorporate that into this new healthcare system as expansion has already taken place north of the rover in Cameron. As Dr. Weed jokingly mentioned that the board searched long and hard for a better name, but kept coming back to the river, he revealed the new name and logo for the healthcare system as “Little River Healthcare System”. He explained that it is an appropriate fit since “the river that has always divided us, will now unite us”.
Jeff Madison continued the presentation explaining that the hospital will continue to be Richards Memorial Hospital, but will take on the Little River logo. The other facilities currently within the Little River family include Little River Medical Clinic – Rockdale (currently Richards Medical Clinic – Rockdale) and Little River Medical Clinic – Cameron (currently Richards Medical Clinic – Cameron and previously Cameron Rural Health Clinic). As further expansions continue, the Little River name will be carried along. The name and signage changes will happen as current remodeling is finished at each facility. Jeff went on to discuss the how technology is already playing a large role in the healthcare system, as he discussed and showed a picture of a website that is currently being built for Little River Healthcare System at www. LRhealthcare.com. The website is not live yet, but he hopes for it to be running in the near future. He went on to discuss the some of the specialty services currently offered, such as pulmonology, orthopedics, general surgery, thoracic and vascular surgery, pain management, spinal orthopedics, and many more. You could see the excitement Jeff Madison has for the future of Little River Healthcare System as he told the audience, “if you think a lot of progress has occurred recently, just wait because you ain’t seen nothing yet!”
Matt Hainline, CEO of Blackhawk Healthcare, then took the stage with Todd Biederman, President of Blackhawk Healthcare, to further discuss the future and why they became involved with rural healthcare. For years, healthcare in rural America has suffered and Blackhawk has a plan and the drive and determination to change that. Matt and Todd showed a genuine interest in the people and the overall wellness of everyone in Milam and surrounding counties. The evening concluded with a thank you, door prizes, and time for everyone to gather and have a good time.