STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — The former OCH Regional Medical Center officially has a new name and owner: Baptist Memorial Hospital–Oktibbeha County.
Baptist Memorial Health Care recently purchased the hospital from Oktibbeha County, marking a major milestone for local healthcare. Community leaders from Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and Baptist Memorial gathered on October 6 to celebrate the new beginning.
“As the largest healthcare provider in Mississippi, our goal is to offer care locally so people can receive the treatment they need close to home,” said Jason Little, CEO and president of Baptist Memorial Health Care System. “Partnering with another Mississippi community is incredibly exciting for us.”
Back in 2017, residents voted to keep OCH county-owned, but perspectives shifted over time. The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors began exploring sale proposals in January 2025, and Baptist submitted the winning bid. The transition officially took place last week.
“Humble, very excited—what an opportunity,” said Mac Flynt, CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital–Oktibbeha County. “The hospital already has strong foundations and excellent clinical teams, and we’re eager to support and build on that.”
Flynt added that strengthening the medical staff will be a top priority. “Our first focus will be working closely with our medical teams to improve operations, explore growth opportunities, and provide full support wherever we can,” he said.
Marvell Howard, president of the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors, said he’s optimistic about what Baptist will bring to the community. “Residents won’t need to travel far for quality healthcare,” he said. “Baptist has committed to expanding service lines, adding more physicians, and possibly bringing in specialists. It’s a great step forward for Oktibbeha County.”
Some Baptist team members are also relocating within the Golden Triangle. Lauri Sansing, who worked at Baptist Golden Triangle in Columbus for 27 years, is now serving as the Chief Nursing Officer for the new hospital.
“We have a great team ready to go,” Sansing said. “We’re focused on upgrading services, improving technology, and enhancing the overall quality of care.”
The total purchase price for OCH was $61 million. The Board of Supervisors first announced its intent to sell the hospital to Baptist in May 2025, following a series of public meetings, including several held on the Mississippi State University campus.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content
Leave a Reply