Edmond Medical Center to Merge with OU Medical Center

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma -- A metro hospital is growing and will soon offer more services to Oklahomans. A merger between OU Medical Center and Edmond Medical Center was announced Wednesday.

Beginning April 1, 2010 Edmond Medical Center will be named OU Medical Center Edmond. Already, $17 million has been committed to bringing valuable services back to the Edmond area.

"Edmond Hospital has a long, rich history of serving this community," Steve Kreidler of Edmond said.

Soon the hospital will treat more residents. The merger will bring a return of a service that has been absent in Edmond for five years.

"Part of those dollars will bring back obstetrical services to Edmond Medical Center," OU Medical Center CEO Cole Eslyn said.

In addition to a women's center on campus the dedicated funds will buy new surgical equipment and expand an emergency room that currently treats more than 20,000 patients a year.

"And, part of those dollars will also be used for some renovation on the floors as well as the outside of the building," Eslyn said.

Edmond's mayor views the merger as an investment into the community.

Eslyn said he expects renovations to the OB and emergency departments to be underway in the next six to 12 months.