Scott & White to partner with hospital

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Scott & White Healthcare announced it's merging with a small hospital in Williamson County.

The Central Texas-wide health care provider will soon partner with Johns Community Hospital in Taylor.

It's the initial step in a process that will allow the two hospitals to deliver medical care in Taylor and the surrounding communities.

Johns Community Hospital is a 25-bed hospital with a 24-hour emergency department, a health center clinic, a home health department and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation department.

Under the agreement, the medical staff would remain open to all qualified physicians after the merger is finalized.

"There is great synergy that provides a natural link between Scott & White and Johns as demonstrated by a strong commitment to our respective communities," said Alfred Knight, M.D., president and CEO of Scott & White Healthcare . "Under our philosophy of the right care in the right place at the right time, this partnership will continue to allow residents to seek care within a nationally-renowned, fully-integrated health care system."

Scott & White currently 120 physicians in its 10 regional clinics in Williamson County that provide care to approximately 46,000 residents. It's also had a clinic committed to serving Taylor and the surrounding community for 24 years.

The merger will be finalized Sept. 1.