January 2, 2024

Patients to benefit from combined strengths of a community hospital and the expertise of a premier academic health system 

University of Missouri Health Care and long-time Jefferson City affiliate Capital Region Medical Center have officially completed the integration of their health systems. 

Capital Region Medical Center and MU Health Care are now unified under one brand: MU Health Care. Achieving full integration is the latest milestone in a partnership that dates back more than 25 years.  

“For more than two decades, MU Health Care and Capital Region Medical Center have had a shared commitment to find a way to provide the best care for mid-Missouri, a way to keep patients close to home and to support the health of our communities beyond the walls of our hospitals,” said Nim Chinniah, University of Missouri’s vice chancellor for health affairs. “We are thrilled to have completed the evolution of our shared commitment and we express our deep appreciation to the Capital Region Medical Center Board for their tireless leadership, stewardship and partnership throughout this process.”

Last June, the organizations announced their intention to fully integrate their two health systems. The goal was, and continues to be, to combine the strengths of a community health system with the expertise of a premier academic health system. 

“The health care industry is evolving and as one unified health system we’re evolving the landscape of care in Missouri,” Chinniah said. “Full integration offers a path to sustainability and growth, providing access to expanded services, technology, improved care coordination and economies of scale for years to come.” 

As the region’s premier academic health system, MU Health Care brings with it the latest innovations and discoveries in medicine to the Jefferson City community. MU Health Care has already begun adding specialty services at Capital Regional Medical Center, including a a spine clinic, a bariatric surgery and weight management program and an emergency medicine observation unit.

“With the combined strengths of community and academic medicine, we are proud to be a part of a healthier future for the Jefferson City community,” said Ric Ransom, CEO, MU Health Care. “Our mission is to save and improve lives and that is what we will do through expanded access to quality health care close to home.”

A community celebration to mark the completion of the integration of MU Health Care and Capital Region Medical Center will be held at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City on Jan. 10.