By By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
Oct. 25, 2001
A local health care group has won the right to buy Laird Hospital of Union.
Alliance Health Center of Meridian was awarded the right to acquire the 50-bed acute hospital after bankruptcy proceedings involving former owners Bob and Georgia Buchanan.
Cantrell said Laird filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a reorganization a few months ago. He said the case will soon become a Chapter 7, which is a complete re-structuring.
Alliance Health Systems, headed by retired Meridian physician Dr. Tom Crowson, won the bid process over several other groups around the state for the purchase of the hospital.
Cantrell said his group was selected because of its experience in turning around troubled hospitals, its credit-worthiness with local banks in Meridian and its ability to work with local physicians.
Alliance bought Laurel Wood Center in Meridian three years ago and Cantrell says it has "re-established itself in the community since we took over."
Cantrell said he hopes to do the same with Laird, and is aiming to begin operating the hospital by mid-December or early January.
Fredie Carmichael is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3228, or e-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.