Stephanie Austin: Bradley Medical Center, now nonprofit, plans service expansions and workforce growth in Polk County
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Summary
Stephanie Austin, representing Bradley Medical Center, told the Ducktown board the hospital converted to nonprofit status, completed community health needs assessments for Polk and Bradley counties, recruited 27 providers to date, is partnering on a 29-bed rehab unit, and expects to be back in-network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage on May 1.
Stephanie Austin, a representative of Bradley Medical Center, updated the Ducktown board on the hospital's recent organizational changes and local service plans. Austin said Bradley Medical Center was acquired by Tribune Health Care on Aug. 1, 2024, and has since converted to nonprofit status. As a nonprofit, the hospital completed separate community health needs assessments for Polk and Bradley counties and held local meetings in Ducktown and Benton to gather input.
Austin told the board the hospital is focusing on three priorities identified in its assessment: access to affordable medical care, access to affordable insurance, and mental health services. She said the hospital has emphasized partnerships with existing local providers rather than duplicating services, and that it is working with local clinics and schools on workforce development and recruitment.
The hospital has pursued specialty recruitment: Austin said the organization recruited 18 providers in its first year after conversion and that the total now stands at 27 providers, including a vascular surgeon and a new non-interventional cardiology provider. She also said Bradley has launched a joint venture with Rehab (in 2025) to add a 29-bed unit on the Westside campus in partnership with Siskin, which Austin described as bringing needed capacity and clinical quality.
On insurance, Austin said Bradley Medical Center is re-establishing network relationships and reported that, "as of May 1, we will be back in network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage," a development she identified as important for the hospital's most fragile patients.
Austin said the hospital plans to return for future updates and left contact information for board members and residents who have questions or concerns. Board members thanked Austin and expressed support for local partnerships and workforce initiatives.
Next procedural steps were not set during the presentation; Austin said the hospital would return to provide periodic updates and additional details as initiatives proceed.
