The West Shore Medical Center Board of Trustees has approved a final agreement to fully integrate with the Munson Healthcare system and secure an up to $23.5 million investment in health care services for Manistee County. The Manistee County Board of Commissioners endorsed that agreement, approving a restructuring plan that allows the hospital to transition from a municipal health facilities corporation to a private nonprofit corporation, a necessary legal step.
 
Under the final agreement, West Shore Medical Center (WSMC) will join Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital, Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, Munson Medical Center, and Munson Healthcare Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital as the sixth fully integrated hospital in the Munson Healthcare system. The agreement also includes the ambulance service, medical practices, and outpatient clinics in Manistee, Bear Lake and Wellston currently owned and operated by WSMC.
 
“Munson Healthcare has been a trusted partner for years, and we share a commitment to delivering health care as close to home as possible," said WSMC Board Chair John Hoch. "This agreement will ensure continued access to local health care in Manistee County for years to come, including continued local oversight of management, medical staff and employees at the hospital, and continued operation of the hospital’s advanced life support EMS ambulance service.”
 
Under the agreement, Munson Healthcare will become the parent company of the hospital in Manistee and commit up to $23.5 million – subject to final valuation based on WSMC’s fiscal year-end financial statements – for local health care services. This includes significant capital investments to sustain and enhance facilities and services, in accordance with an approved capital plan, and an additional contribution to West Shore Healthcare Foundation to benefit and support continued health care services in Manistee and surrounding communities.