Rural Health

McKenzie Health System's Peace of Mind Clinic expands rural behavioral health access

McKenzie Health System launched the Peace of Mind Clinic in 2024 to expand access to behavioral health services in rural Sanilac County, where residents previously had limited access to psychiatric care, according to the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 7, 2026

Rural Health

New Mexico Awards $50M to 41 Rural Healthcare Providers

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Aug. 5 that 41 rural health care providers and facilities will receive a combined $50 million from the state's [Rural Health Care Delivery Fund](https://www.hca.nm.gov/primary-care-council/rural-health-care-delivery-fund/). The funding aims to sustain providers and prevent facility closures, according to a news release from the New Mexico Hospital and Healthcare Association.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 6, 2026

Rural Health

Marias Healthcare CEO Jamie Brownell Named to Rural Health Transformation Advisory Council

Jamie Brownell, CEO of Marias Healthcare, was named to the Rural Health Transformation Program Center of Excellence Advisory Council, according to a July 28, 2026, report from the Cut Bank Pioneer Press.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 3, 2026

Hospitals

East Alabama Health to manage Medical Center Barbour under new agreement

Opelika-based East Alabama Health will assume management and operational oversight of Medical Center Barbour in Eufaula, Ala., beginning Oct. 1, according to an Aug. 12 health system news release shared with Becker's Hospital Review.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 13, 2026

Hospitals

Fairfield Medical Center CEO to step down after Adena Health deal closes

John "Jack" Janoso Jr., president and CEO of Lancaster, Ohio-based Fairfield Medical Center, will step down upon completion of the system's pending partnership with Chillicothe, Ohio-based Adena Health, according to a statement shared with Becker's Hospital Review.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 13, 2026

Hospitals

Nonprofit systems expand into Pennsylvania as for-profits exit, citing mission over margin

Pennsylvania saw four of the 22 hospital closures reported by Becker's in 2025, the most of any state, while for-profit operators like Prospect Medical Holdings and Community Health Systems have shuttered or exited facilities. Despite the distress, nonprofit systems including WVU Medicine, Northwell Health, and Kaiser Permanente's Risant Health are expanding into the state, according to Becker's Hospital Review.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 12, 2026

Vendors

Atlantic Health, K Health Launch EHR-Integrated PatientGPT in MyChart

Atlantic Health System has partnered with K Health to launch Atlantic Health PatientGPT and Atlantic Health Virtual Primary Care, described as New Jersey's first EHR-integrated AI digital front door. The platform is embedded directly into Atlantic Health's Epic MyChart portal and uses individual patient medical records to provide personalized health guidance, according to HIT Consultant.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 13, 2026

Vendors

Presbyterian Santa Fe plans $6M cardiac cath lab opening July 2027

Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center is planning a $6 million cardiac catheterization lab, slated to open in July 2027, according to Searchlight New Mexico. The facility will offer diagnostic services and round-the-clock emergency treatment, aiming to eliminate patient transfers for severe heart attacks in Northern New Mexico, where heart disease is the leading cause of death.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 13, 2026

Vendors

IKS Health Q1 FY27 revenue up 21%, profit after tax up 28%

IKS Health reported a 21% increase in revenue and a 28% rise in profit after tax for the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, according to a company announcement dated August 11, 2026. The company attributed the performance to sustained operational momentum and financial discipline.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 13, 2026

Funding & M&A

EnableComp Acquires Helix Advisory to Expand AI Zero Balance Reviews

Complex revenue cycle management (RCM) leader EnableComp has acquired Cincinnati-based revenue recovery firm Helix Advisory, according to HIT Consultant. The deal expands EnableComp's Zero Balance Review capabilities by integrating underpayment recovery directly into its e360 RCM platform, which is used for complex claims and denials.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 13, 2026

Funding & M&A

Encompass Health launches $100M private offering of 5.875% senior notes due 2034

Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) announced Aug. 10 that it has commenced a private offering of an additional $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes maturing in 2034, subject to market and other conditions.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 10, 2026

Funding & M&A

WVU Health System, Fulton County Medical Center sign affiliation agreement

The West Virginia University Health System and Fulton County Medical Center (FCMC) have signed a definitive affiliation agreement that will lead to FCMC joining the WVU Health System, according to an announcement from Camden Clark Medical Center - Memorial Campus.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 7, 2026

Technology

Franciscan, Brown Health expand Microsoft agentic AI tools

Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Health and Providence, R.I.-based Brown University Health have expanded their use of Microsoft's agentic AI platform, according to an Aug. 11 Microsoft blog post reported by Becker's Hospital Review.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 13, 2026

Definitive Healthcare has launched an early adopter program for its new AI-powered healthcare intelligence platform, inviting select health systems, life sciences companies, and commercial healthcare vendors to participate in August 2026. General availability is targeted for late 2026, with feedback from early adopters informing product refinements.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 7, 2026

Madison Regional Health System, a 22-bed critical access hospital in eastern South Dakota, has reduced duplicate testing, eliminated dictation services, and strengthened clinician recruitment since its 2025 Epic EHR go-live, according to Epic Systems. Physician Laura Hoefert said the EHR cut time spent hunting for patient records and helped coordinate care for complex cases, including arranging a timely transfer for a patient with preeclampsia.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 7, 2026

Policy

Welch Community Hospital's future clouded by privatization push, CAH questions

Welch Community Hospital faces an uncertain future as West Virginia Del. David Green (R-McDowell) advocates for privatization and a federal Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation, according to Black By God. Green has publicly argued the designation would help the rural facility, citing a similar hospital in southern West Virginia that has operated profitably for nearly 15 years.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 13, 2026

Policy

Wichita council to weigh $11.25M tax break for Wesley Medical Center upgrades

The Wichita City Council is set to consider $11.25 million in new sales tax exemptions tied to $150 million in upgrades at Wesley Medical Center, owned by HCA Healthcare. The incentives, on the council's Tuesday agenda, would provide a 100% sales tax exemption on $150 million in industrial revenue bonds issued by the city, according to the Wichita Eagle.

The Desk - Jordan Leahy · August 3, 2026