BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — Blount County's only hospital has completed the sale of a facility at the center of both controversy and an operating agreement between the county and Blount Memorial Hospital.
Officials said the sale of Morningview Village went through last week for $22,734,477.
"We want to thank Ocoee Foundation, Inc. for working with us to complete this transaction," Blount Memorial Spokesman Josh West said. "We welcome them to Blount County, and look forward to working with the facilities to help support the care transition needs of patients."
The sale of the healthcare facility is another financial gain for the hospital that's turning a profit for the first time in years.
"We are focused on the patient, the emergency room, we've had a lot of work there and we believe that's the front door to our hospital," Interim CEO Jonathan Smith told 10News last month. "And because of that, we've had an increased volume in patients coming through our doors, which has led to an increase in admissions."
Smith said focusing on the patient experience is bringing more people and cash to the hospital.
"All of those things are moving in the right direction, which has allowed us, over the last six months, to show about $3.3 million in operating margins," he said. "Which is basically... we're right at break even as we come into our last month of the fiscal year."
Smith said the hospital is at a $200,000 gain from its total margin, including its investments, some interest expenses and non-operating items.
"So for the year, that has moved positive," Smith said. "And that's the first time that number has been positive since fiscal year 2021."
Operating figures from the past six months show growth across the board for the hospital:
- December 2023 - $208,000
- January 2024 - $405,000
- February 2024 - $945,000
- March 2024 - $110,000
- April 2024 - $1,041,000
- May 2024 - $680,000
Blount Memorial also recently received $2.5 million from FEMA to help recoup costs incurred during the pandemic.
The ink dried on an operating agreement between the Blount Commission and Blount Memorial Hospital this spring and included language allowing for the sale of the facility.
Controversy between the hospital and county leaders came to a head in June 2022, when Blount County leaders wrote the hospital a letter saying they had concerns over how the hospital's former CEO, Dr. Harold Naramore, was chosen.