Stroud Success Story
Rural Wellness Stroud Hospital
RWSH boasted about “all private rooms!” when they opened in 1978. This state-of-the art facility served a vibrant rural community that was growing and prospering at that time. The region was well balanced between agriculture, healthcare, business and social service employers in the area. But, that didn’t last long and like so much of rural America, Rural Wellness Stroud Hospital had to find a way to help reinvent itself.
The Challenge
Rural Wellness Stroud Hospital opened in 1978 to serve a vibrant, growing rural community. In the years that followed, the region faced significant economic decline, and the hospital’s situation worsened accordingly. Financial difficulties, bankruptcy, and a near-catastrophic tornado in 1999 tested the facility’s resilience.
CAH designation in 2002 offered hope, but it was not sufficient to turn things around. Serious financial problems persisted; wages were frozen; benefits were reduced; and experienced staff sought opportunities elsewhere.
Working with AVEM
AVEM Health Partners began working with Rural Wellness Stroud Hospital in 2009. The engagement brought immediate capital relief and a long-term operational strategy that reversed the hospital’s decline.
- Accounts payable: Capital infusion brought accounts payable current
- Expanded services: New clinical programs were introduced for the community
- Compensation restored: Wages and benefits were restored and made competitive
The Impact
RWSH became a recognized regional asset, drawing patients from across the surrounding area.
- Wages and benefits were fully restored and made competitive within the field
- New service lines keep patients in their communities rather than traveling to urban centers
- Highest Average Daily Census in the hospital’s history