Operations of the Bristow Medical Center have now ceased

The doors of the Bristow Medical Center, Bristow's only acute care facillity, were closed Friday night as all operations at the center ceased, preparing for the transition of new management, that took place January 1. Bristow Endeavor Heathcare LLC, who has managed the facility for the last 12 years, spent last week loading up furniture, equipment and items preparing for the transition.

Carrus Healthcare, out of Sherman, Texas, who beat out several other proposals, including Endeavor Healthcare's proposal, will take over full management of the exisiting hosipital and the building of a new state of the art 25-bed facility on the same property that is owned by the city.

There will be an approximate 30-day lapse in healthcare services as Carrus has not yet acquired a license to operate the facility and as frustrating as this may be for the community, there are certain capital improvement projects, found by the state health de partment during a walk thru of the exising facility, that must be done before operations can resume. Understanding the frustration of not having healthcare services while the modifications are being done, Carrus is prepared to have an urgent care facility which will address certain health issues that residents of the community and surround ing areas might have. The construction of the new hospital is to begin within six months if Carrus is able to secure its license within the next 30 days.

Current employees of the exisiting medical center have already been offered the opportunity to re-apply for their positions with Carrus Healthcare.