The Hospital Authority of Tift County, Georgia, which owns and operates Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC), has entered into an agreement with SunLink Health Systems, Inc. to purchase Memorial Hospital of Adel (Memorial) and its affiliated nursing home and ancillary services. The sale of Memorial's assets is $8.35 million and is subject to buyer due diligence. TRMC will provide interim management of Memorial from April 1, 2012 to July 2, 2012, with the transaction expected to be finalized by July 2, 2012.

"With input from our board of trustees and medical staff physicians, this acquisition is part of an overall strategic development initiative," said William T. Richardson, TRMC president/CEO. "Only 50 percent of our patients come from Tift County; the other 50 percent come from our surrounding communities, with Cook County playing a significant role. We look forward to capitalizing on the great care already provided by Memorial and continuing the strong relationships with the local physicians and community."

The acquisition of Memorial will provide economies of scale between the two hospitals, said Richardson. "By taking a system approach with TRMC and Memorial, we will be able to share resources and improve continuity and coordination of care," he said. "Advancing this model for residents in South Central Georgia is at the heart of Tift Regional's endeavor to improve community health. We are confident it will result in better communication between primary care providers and specialists, greater efficiency of time and services, and enhanced quality of care."

With 250 employees, Memorial includes Memorial Hospital of Adel, a 60-bed acute care hospital, and Memorial Convalescent Center, a 95-bed nursing home. Memorial's current owner is SunLink Health Systems, Inc., a publically-traded healthcare company based out of Atlanta (NYSE: Amex: SSY). Excluding Memorial, SunLink currently operates five community hospitals and related businesses in the Southeast and Midwest, and a specialty pharmacy company in Louisiana.