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Third Group Enters Bidding for Hospital: Heritage Victor Valley Says It Can Match Any Offers for Victor Valley Community

Posted on: Sunday, 15 January 2006, 15:00 CST

By Miguel Gonzalez, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.

Jan. 15--VICTORVILLE -- With two organizations already vying to purchase the nonprofit Victor Valley Community Hospital, Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group has made an offer of its own, according to Dr. Mohinder Ahluwalia, a local physician and medical director of the group. "Our group has been very supportive of the community for the past 20 years," Ahluwalia said. "We were very supportive when this hospital fell in hard times. We thought that by acquiring the hospital, we can establish the service the community needs." Ahluwalia declined to reveal how much his group has offered for the hospital, but mentioned that his group is ready to go head-to-head with the other two groups bidding on this process. The Heritage offer comes almost a month after Physicians Management Group and Desert Valley Medical Center owner Dr. Prem Reddy made proposals to buy the hospital. "We have access to a lot of capital and financing," Ahluwalia said. When asked if his group could compete with the $30 million plus other groups have offered, Ahluwalia was very clear. "We will have access to as much capital as needed to help the hospital." Heritage Victor Valley is part of Heritage Health Networks, a group owned by Dr. Richard Merken, who also has medical groups in Bakersfiled, Lancaster, Covina and Garden Grove. Now more than ever, the board of directors of Victor Valley Community Hospital is carefully considering every aspect of the offers and evaluating the assets of the hospital. Board Chairman Herb Williamson said the process of evaluation does not really change. "We have ongoing meetings and discussion to decide what's going to be best for the community," he said. "We want to make sure no stone is left unturned in order to make the best decision." News of another party's involvement was welcomed by Lex Reddy, president and chief executive officer of Desert Valley Hospital. "I think this is good for the Victor Valley community. The involvement of a third group helps keep (Victor Valley Community Hospital) open," he said. "I would just question Heritage Victor Valley's experience in managing other hospitals." Physicians Management Group member Dr. Amal Guha did not react with as much enthusiasm to the news. "It's a free country. Anybody can make an offer and it's all up to the board of directors of the hospital." News of Heritage Victor Valley's involvement surprised many in the medical community. One was Dr. Mundeher Alqaisi, a former member of Heritage Victor Valley until last November. "I am surprised to hear that. Whoever takes over, it's going to be a big financial responsibility, but I think all could do a really good job," Alqaisi said. "I have great faith in doctors taking over hospitals because a doctor will always put the patient first before the business of running a hospital." Ahluwalia said that if chosen, his group has every intention of improving infrastructure of the hospital and the services rendered there. "We have to do an evaluation of the services needed and depending on the results, we would act accordingly to improve the hospital." Victorville Councilman Bob Hunter explained a higher number of bidders only helps to ensure Victor Valley hospital will not close its doors. "We can't lose a hospital in this area and whoever is going to buy the hospital we need them to increase the number of beds and think about establishing a trauma center," he said. The VVCH board of directors will meet later this week. Miguel Gonzalez may be reached at mgonzalez@vvdailypress.com or 951-6232. From Here: -- Back to today's news -- News Archive -- Join the discussion at the community forum

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Copyright (c) 2006, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.

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Source: Daily Press - Victorville, California

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