22-04-2025
Jackson Hospital introduces new community programs amid bankruptcy filings
Jackson Hospital & Clinic has been making moves to increase community outreach through new initiatives and programs, though news on the hospital's bankruptcy filings progress is scarce.
The hospital's "The Stronger Together!" initiative, which the hospital says was "designed to strengthen hospital bonds with the community and demonstrate there is strength in unity," includes a series of events and activities focused on teamwork between hospital staff, community partners and donors.
The first event was the "Clergy Faith & Fellowship Breakfast" on April 2, and the next "Stronger Together!" event is a showcase of unique services from different businesses in the area on May 15.
Other new plans for community engagement include a future podcast that's focused on health education, as well as the hospital's 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, which will gather and analyze data to identify the community's most pressing health needs.
In addition to this initiative and new plans, the hospital has re-launched "Walk With A Doc," a program in which area residents can walk with physicians at the hospital on the fourth Friday of every month and receive guidance on health-related topics as they walk.
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The hospital has been in financial hot water as for the better part of the past year.
After defaulting on $60 million in bonds back in September, the hospital has pursued several measures to get out of their financial chasm, including introducing new management to restructure operations and finances and asking the City of Montgomery City to give them a $20.5 million guarantee on a loan that they "need to take until a final solution is made, which would be a permanent financial restructuring" after similar talks with Montgomery County failed.
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After attempts to secure the loan failed, the hospital has been pursuing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, and has been largely quiet since announcing these plans, aside from installing a new chief operating officer and chief information officer.
'We are making major strides in our restructuring, thanks in part to the support of all our allies,' said Jackson Hospital & Clinic CEO Ronald Dreskin in reference to the launch of the hospital's new programming. 'When we work together as a team, we can achieve the vision of a strong hospital partnering with our community to provide world-class, patient-focused care. And in the end, we all win.'
Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Jackson Hospital introduces new programs amid bankruptcy filings
