The Healthcare Authority of the City of Anniston – which governs RMC Health System – will close RMC Jacksonville June 30th.

That announcement came last week, along with word that Jacksonville State University will take control of the property for classroom space and housing; that property will be gifted to the school, which is still coping with the aftereffects of a March 19th tornado that destroyed a number of buildings on the campus.

According to a report by news outlet al.com, in a statement issued by Healthcare Authority Chairman Billy Grizzard he summed up the decision by saying “RMC’s Board and leadership team have carefully evaluated the most viable options for the future of our health system and believe that reallocating our resources and services will best serve residents of Calhoun County and surrounding communities,” adding “the difficult decision to close was not made lightly,”

RMC Jacksonville, which is a 104 bed facility – was opened back in 1976 and was purchased by RMC in 2013.  Over the next six weeks, select services at the hospital will be transitioned to other RMC facilities.

Genesis Senior Emotional Care, RMC’s geriatric psychiatry service will be relocating to RMC Anniston, and the medical detoxification unit for drug and alcohol recovery will relocate to Stringfellow Memorial Hospital.

(al.com/www.al.com)