East Alabama Health to operate and manage Medical Center Barbour

Officials with East Alabama Health (EAH) announced today that the organization will assume management and operational oversight of Medical Center Barbour in Eufaula beginning October 1, 2026.  

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring continued access to essential health care services for the residents of Barbour County and the surrounding region. Through the agreement, East Alabama Health will lead day-to-day operations and provide strategic guidance to support quality patient care and strengthen local 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.” 

Under the management agreement, Medical Center Barbour will continue to serve as an essential local hospital for Eufaula and the surrounding communities. 

“By combining the hospital’s longstanding local commitment with East Alabama Health’s regional experience, we believe this partnership can strengthen Medical Center Barbour’s role as a trusted source of care for Eufaula and the surrounding region.”  

Joseph Marchant, who leads rural health initiatives at East Alabama Health and serves as the chief integration and network development officer, said, “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.

“We look forward to working alongside the hospital’s leadership, providers, employees and community stakeholders to honor Medical Center Barbour’s long history of serving Eufaula and the surrounding region and develop a sustainable model to ensure residents receive exceptional care, close to home.”

Medical Center Barbour leaders expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and what it means for the future of health care services in the community.

“This agreement is a major step forward for Medical Center Barbour and the patients we serve,” said Eugene Harris, board chair of the Healthcare 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.”

For city leaders, the agreement reinforces Medical Center Barbour’s role as both a health care provider and a cornerstone of 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,” Eufaula Mayor Jack B. Tibbs, Jr., said. “Our hospital is a pillar of our community and one of the city’s largest employers. A strong hospital is vital to economic development, so this is a win for our patients, our workforce and the future of our city.”

East Alabama Health and Medical Center Barbour will work together to support continued clinical excellence, enhance operational performance and expand opportunities to meet the evolving health care needs of the communities they serve.

About East Alabama Health

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital in Valley, East Alabama Medical Center North in Opelika, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinics and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 316-bed regional referral hospital. EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital provides emergency and outpatient services while its campus also features a nursing home and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 4,100 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University.