West Des Moines, IA (October 20, 2020) – Over the past several months, UnityPoint Health and Blessing Health System have been in talks to discuss the long-term health care needs of Keokuk and the surrounding area. Today, both UnityPoint Health and Blessing Health System are announcing the organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – a non-binding agreement – that outlines plans to transition the affiliation of UnityPoint Health-Keokuk to the Blessing Health System.

“UnityPoint Health is committed to sustainable health care for the Keokuk community,” said UnityPoint Health Chief Administrative Officer, John Sheehan. “This is an exciting first step and we look forward to working with Blessing’s leadership team toward ensuring continued access to quality health care for those who call Keokuk home.”

The two organizations will begin a period of due diligence with continued collective talks and discovery.

UnityPoint Health-Keokuk Board Chair and Keokuk Mayor Tom Richardson said he’s pleased that residents will continue to receive quality healthcare. “This agreement will help us continue to attract a strong workforce and maintain a vibrant community,” said Mayor Richardson. “We’re grateful for UnityPoint’s investment and look forward to the potential partnership with Blessing.”

“We are honored to have the opportunity to serve the Keokuk community’s needs for high-quality, affordable healthcare we are accustomed to delivering,” said Maureen Kahn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blessing Health System and Blessing Hospital. “Patients from the Keokuk area now travel to Blessing for care; we look forward to continuing and hopefully expanding healthcare services locally.”

Both organizations intend to reach a final agreement and obtain the required regulatory approvals within the next several months.

“Now more than ever, it is imperative to be aligned with the immediate region’s ever-changing healthcare needs; we feel our local presence and resources will continue to expand upon the great work UnityPoint Health has created in Keokuk,” Kahn concluded.

# #

UnityPoint Health

UnityPoint Health is the nation’s 13th largest nonprofit health system and the fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, providing care to both metropolitan and rural communities across Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Through relationships with more than 400 physician clinics, 21 regional and 19 community network hospitals and home care services throughout its 9 regions, UnityPoint Health is one of the nation's most integrated health systems. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, UnityPoint Health entities employ more than 30,000 employees who are dedicated to making it easier for people to live well. More at unitypoint.org.

Blessing Health System

Blessing Health System is an integrated health system, based in Quincy , IL, consisting of two award-winning hospitals, two physician group practices, an accredited college of nursing and health sciences, a network of medical specialty businesses and a charitable foundation. Serving a primary market area of west central Illinois, northeast Missouri and southeast Iowa, Blessing Corporate Services, Inc., is the parent company of the System providing support and direction to Blessing Hospital; Illini Community Hospital; Blessing Physician Services; Hannibal Clinic; Denman Services, Inc.; Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences and The Blessing Foundation. The Mission of Blessing Health System is to improve the health of our communities. Blessing Health System employs more than 3,500 people. More at blessinghealth.org/