Baptist Health welcomed Trover Health System as its eighth hospital across the state, bolstering the health network’s coverage in western Kentucky.

Effective Nov. 1, Trover Health System — located in Madisonville — became Baptist Health Madisonville.

Trover entered into discussions with Baptist nearly a year ago after selecting Baptist from proposals submitted by several health care organizations. LifePoint Hospitals and Owensboro Medical Health System were also considered as finalists.

Each finalist was selected based on its ability to assist Trover with the design and implementation of new models of care and payment reform, access to capital, experience with recruiting physicians and building solid physician relationships, and developing service line partnerships, according to a Baptist Health news release.

“We couldn’t have chosen a finer addition to our already strong, statewide network of hospitals,” said Baptist Health President and CEO Tommy J. Smith. “And we’re equally proud that Trover chose Baptist when looking for a partner. Through the combined resources of these longstanding health care institutions, we will both benefit from a shared focus on putting patient care first through strategic partnerships with our physicians.”

E. Berton Whitaker, President and CEO of Baptist Health Madisonville, said the partnership will benefit the surrounding community.

“By joining Baptist Health family, we are positioning our health system to address the ever-changing needs of providing health care in the years to come. Both Trover and Baptist value our patients, our employees and our communities. We share common missions and our culture and tradition of community service are well aligned so that together, we can build upon and further strengthen the depth and breadth of the services provided by our organization.”

In response to the community’s growing need for primary care physicians, Baptist Health Madisonville is recruiting for internal medicine and family practice physicians. Renovations are planned for the Mother/Baby Unit, emergency department and same-day surgery, as well as upgrades to other areas of the hospital.

Baptist Health includes seven other locations: Baptist Hospital East in Louisville; Baptist Hospital Northeast in La Grange; Baptist Regional Medical Center in Corbin; Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah; Oak Tree Hospital at Baptist Regional Medical Center; and Baptist Health Richmond.