St. Luke’s Hospital and Marengo Memorial Hospital have created a network affiliation effective July 1, 2012.

Marengo Memorial Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital located approximately 30 miles from Cedar Rapids and is the only hospital in Iowa County. It provides acute, skilled and extended care as well as outpatient support services.

“The Marengo Board of Trustees has contracted with St. Luke’s Hospital as a network and partner affiliate but Marengo Hospital will continue to maintain its autonomy and identity,” said Ted Townsend, President and CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital. “St. Luke’s is contributing our management as well as purchasing and supply expertise. Ownership and control will remain unchanged. By working with Marengo, we will be able to ensure the long-term viability of healthcare services in eastern Iowa.”

Marengo Memorial Hospital selected St. Luke’s Hospital as its affiliate partner after discontinuing a 13-year agreement with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

“We at Marengo Memorial Hospital are both excited and proud to be a new member of the Iowa Health System family,” said Barry G. Goettsch, FACHE, CEO, Marengo Memorial Hospital. “As change in healthcare is a constant, flying under the radar of healthcare reform to a more forgiving degree than our larger counterparts, so to speak, is clearly becoming less likely for the critical access hospital as we look to the horizon. We feel that our partnership with the Iowa Health System and St. Luke’s Hospital is an ideal partnership as both organizations truly share a consistent philosophy on community and the manner by which we care for our fellow citizens. We look to the future with eager anticipation.”