East Alabama Health announced Wednesday that it will assume management and operational oversight of Medical Center Barbour in Eufaula beginning October 1, 2026.
The management agreement is intended to help maintain access to essential health care services for residents of Barbour County and surrounding communities. East Alabama Health will oversee day-to-day operations and provide strategic guidance aimed at supporting quality patient care and strengthening hospital services.
“Access to timely, high-quality health care is vital for every community, particularly in rural areas,” said Laura Grill, president and CEO of East Alabama Health. “We are honored to partner with The Health Care Authority of the City of Eufaula as we work together to preserve and strengthen local health care services for the citizens of Barbour County and the surrounding communities.”
Medical Center Barbour will continue operating as a local hospital serving Eufaula and the surrounding area.
Joseph Marchant, who leads rural health initiatives at East Alabama Health and serves as chief integration and network development officer, said the hospital is important to both the community’s health and its economy.
“Medical Center Barbour plays a vital role in both the health and economic future of this community, supporting families, employers and providing crucial jobs for the people who work there,” Marchant said.
He said East Alabama Health looks forward to working with hospital leaders, medical providers, employees and community stakeholders to build on Medical Center Barbour’s history of serving the region and develop a sustainable model for providing care close to home.
Medical Center Barbour leaders also welcomed the agreement.
“This agreement is a major step forward for Medical Center Barbour and the patients we serve,” said Eugene Harris, board chair of the Health Care Authority of the City of Eufaula. “East Alabama Health shares our commitment to local care, and we are excited to work together to strengthen services, improve patient outcomes and ensure the long-term mission of our hospital.”
Eufaula Mayor Jack B. Tibbs Jr. said the partnership is significant for both residents and the local economy.
“This partnership is great news not only for the health and well-being of our residents, but also for our dedicated health care workers at Medical Center Barbour and our economy as a whole,” Tibbs said.
Tibbs described the hospital as a pillar of the community and one of Eufaula’s largest employers, adding that a strong hospital is important to the city’s economic development.
East Alabama Health and Medical Center Barbour said they will work together to support clinical excellence, improve operational performance and identify opportunities to meet the changing health care needs of residents in Barbour County and surrounding communities.
The new management arrangement is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.
