May 3, 2025

OCH Regional Medical Center Up for Sale in Starkville

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News Summary

OCH Regional Medical Center is on the market, with bids received from Baptist Memorial Health Care and North Mississippi Health Services. The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors is set to select a buyer by May 25, 2025, aiming to enhance healthcare services. Community stakeholders are advocating for partnerships to address healthcare needs and improve operational sustainability. A public hearing is scheduled for September 19, 2025, to discuss the sale, reflecting the community’s strong support for the transition.

Starkville, Mississippi — OCH Regional Medical Center is currently on the market, with bids submitted for its acquisition from two health care organizations. The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors has received proposals from Baptist Memorial Health Care and North Mississippi Health Services, which are the only bidders that met the minimum requirements set by the county. The board has scheduled to choose a buyer by May 25, 2025.

The recent meeting during which the board reviewed the proposals took place in executive session. Although the supervisors did not disclose the total number of bids received, only representatives from the legal teams of the two bidders were in attendance, indicating a focused review process. The decision to sell follows recommendations from a strategic feasibility study that emphasized the need for a “strategic capital partner” to enhance healthcare services and address capital needs at OCH.

The move to sell the hospital comes amid ongoing challenges in maintaining operations and improving healthcare delivery. In historical context, a similar attempt to sell OCH in 2017 faced backlash from voters, resulting in the board’s decision to pause any sale efforts at that time. However, recent shifts in community sentiment have garnered support for the sale, with endorsements from local leaders and Mississippi State University.

Community stakeholders, including schools and local physicians, are advocating for a partnership that could broaden healthcare services to better cater to the needs of Oktibbeha County residents. In terms of quality, OCH has earned high patient safety marks from The Leapfrog Group, affirming its commitment to patient care. County officials have voiced a desire to foster a more competitive healthcare environment in the region, but concerns remain regarding the hospital’s financial sustainability and operational challenges.

OCH’s designation has also been a topic of concern as the facility recently downgraded from a Level III to a Level IV trauma designation. The hospital is working to rectify these issues to ensure adequate trauma care. The administration has assured the community of its dedication to providing quality healthcare services, regardless of the eventual ownership change.

As part of the upcoming transition, a public hearing has been scheduled for September 19, 2025, to further discuss the sale of the hospital and provide residents with information and the opportunity to voice their opinions. The board’s commitment to ensuring the delivery of comprehensive healthcare remains paramount as decisions regarding OCH’s future are made.

The ongoing dialogue between the board, potential bidders, and the community highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing the healthcare needs of residents in Oktibbeha County. Stakeholders are focused on securing a partnership that not only improves the hospital’s operational capabilities but also enhances the overall healthcare landscape in the region.