Our Letter to the Community from the Williamson Health Board of Trustees

For more than 67 years, Williamson Health has been part of the fabric of the Williamson County community. We have participated in the births of thousands of babies, played an integral role in the healing of countless patients and shared the heartache of families who have lost loved ones.

Williamson Health does not just serve this community—we are this community. In our work, the people whose lives we intersect with are not strangers. They are our patients, our friends, family members, colleagues and neighbors who choose to trust us in some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

That truth makes our work meaningful, but it also serves as a daily reminder to our Board of Trustees (Board) about the important role we play in ensuring our community has access to the highest quality of healthcare for the next 67 years. Because we take this responsibility very seriously, we continuously evaluate Williamson Health’s position from both a short- and long-term perspective.

Over the past several years, many challenges have emerged that place increasing pressure on healthcare organizations, especially independent nonprofits like Williamson Health. These include, among others, increased staffing issues; inadequate reimbursements from insurance companies, such as Medicare, Medicaid and others; operating costs that are rising at higher rates than revenues; shifts in care delivery models; erosion of high-margin services that help offset lower-margin services; and ongoing variability in the regulatory landscape, such as the legislative restructuring of Tennessee’s certificate of need program.

To ensure that we fully understand all possible options for maximizing our short-term health and our long-term viability, Williamson Health is announcing a comprehensive strategic planning process that includes exploring the pathway to remaining independent while also considering a potential sale through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

Armed with insights from an exhaustive process led by respected independent consultants, the Board – guided by a deep sense of ethical duty and sincere commitment to act wisely, responsibly and in the best interest of those who rely on us – has determined that we must consider the sale of Williamson Health as one option to ensure the continued excellence and long-term sustainability of care for those we serve, both now and in the future.

The goal of the RFP is to determine if there is an organization fully committed to the legacy of Williamson Health and our mission to meet the healthcare needs of our community and region. This includes a dedication to expanding and elevating services and access points throughout the county and surrounding areas, as well as making significant investments in every aspect of our healthcare system, including our employees, medical staff, and the deeply rooted culture we have cultivated over the past 67 years.

At the same time, Williamson Health also continues to explore options to remaining an independent entity, including pursuing alternative ways to access capital, thoughtfully considering all paths to preserve and strengthen the organization’s future.

An RFP will be sent to qualified prospective partners over the next several weeks, and proposals will likely be reviewed by the Board in the late fall. If a satisfactory offer is identified that is deemed a good fit for the community – and a sustainable path to remaining independent is not viable – Williamson Health may present to the Williamson County Board of Commissioners (County Commission) for approval a recommendation to sell the system. If the County Commission approves the proposal, it must then be presented to and approved by the Tennessee Attorney General and must also be reviewed by the FTC. This process, along with detailed negotiations, could take 12 to 36 months.

Any proceeds from a sale would first go toward paying off Williamson Health’s debts. Remaining funds would be placed under the stewardship of a newly formed, independent foundation dedicated to supporting future healthcare needs in our community. This is the exciting part as the new foundation will be able invest in and introduce new healthcare initiatives that have not previously been possible, while also having the Williamson Health system continue to thrive through long-term growth and expansion of services.

It is important to note that we are currently in the discovery phase, not the determination phase. The only decision made thus far is to consider new ownership proposals as one of our options. As we go through this process, please know that you will continue to receive the same level of exceptional care you’ve come to expect from Williamson Health. We have a tremendous medical team and staff, and their dedication to our patients is unwavering.

In closing, please understand that this decision is not about the current financial strength and standing of Williamson Health – we are in great shape today. This decision is about our future and our long-term prognosis in an increasingly challenging and ever-evolving healthcare environment. The Williamson Health Board of Trustees unanimously prefers to remain independent, but fiduciary responsibility requires us to look beyond personal preferences and focus on what will best preserve and strengthen our mission and our deep commitment to our employees, medical staff and community – not only for today but for many generations to come.

As always, thank you for your support of Williamson Health.