Arkansas Methodist and Baptist Memorial of Memphis Plan to Merge, Expand Services in Northeast Arkansas

A Google Street View image of Arkansas Methodist Medical Center (© Google)

Arkansas Methodist Medical Center (AMMC) in Paragould and Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis announced they have signed a non-binding letter of intent to merge the health care systems and expand services in northeast Arkansas.

In a news release, the organizations said discussions are in the early stages, with an agreement expected to be finalized by early 2026.

“By combining our organizations, we can expand the reach of sustainable and quality health care in the region while creating a strong organization with the size, scale, technology and intellectual capital to expand access to care while weathering future challenges,” Jason Little, president and CEO of Baptist Memorial, said in the release.

Baptist Memorial is one of the country’s largest not-for-profit health care systems, with more than 22,000 employees and 24 hospitals across west Tennessee, Mississippi and northeast Arkansas, two of which are in Crittenden and Craighead counties. The system completed a merger with Anderson Regional Health System in Meridian, Mississippi, in 2024.

Baptist Memorial includes hospice and psychiatric care facilities; walk-in and urgent care clinics; a network of surgery, rehabilitation and other outpatient centers; and an education system that includes Baptist Health Sciences University and a college of osteopathic medicine.

The system reported net operating revenue of $4.4 billion in fiscal year 2024.

AMMC has more than 500 employees. Along with the hospital in Paragould, it operates a retirement community and provides inpatient rehabilitation services.

In a statement, system CEO Brad Bloemer said Baptist Memorial is the “perfect partner” to help AMMC grow and improve. “Together, we can expand access to more health care services, bring in more specialists and specialty services, modernize our facility, and ensure these health care services stay close to home,” he said.