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Huntsville Hospital Health System, Lakeland Community Hospital Enter Affiliation Agreement

Affilitation agreement supports Lakeland’s long-term stability, continued local access to care

Lakeland Community Hospital

Huntsville Hospital Health System announced on July 2, 2026, that the Health Care Authority of the City of Huntsville and the Health Care Authority of Haleyville and Winston County have unanimously agreed to enter an affiliation agreement to help ensure Lakeland Community Hospital in Haleyville, Ala., remains a strong, viable hospital for residents of Winston County and northwest Alabama.

The affiliation agreement creates a formal partnership between the two organizations and provides financial support, strategic guidance and resources to help Lakeland Community Hospital stabilize and continue providing high-quality care locally.

This is not an acquisition or purchase. Lakeland Community Hospital will continue normal operations as a 25-bed critical access hospital and is not part of Huntsville Hospital Health System under this affiliation agreement. Lakeland will maintain its local leadership, day-to-day operations and community focus. Patients and staff should not see changes in day-to-day care or management.

Lakeland, the only hospital in Winston County, approached HH Health seeking a strong regional partner that understood the importance of preserving local care.

“We needed Huntsville Hospital Health System, and we are grateful they answered,” said Cherie E. Sibley, president and CEO of Lakeland Community Hospital. “Our goal has always been to make sure Lakeland can thrive, not just survive. This affiliation gives us the support we need to reach long-term stability and continue caring for our neighbors while maintaining the local leadership and community focus our patients know and trust.”

The affiliation does not replace existing local support for Lakeland Community Hospital. Local funding remains essential to meeting current obligations and supporting the hospital’s long-term stability.

“We are thankful to Huntsville Hospital Health System for stepping up and supporting Lakeland Community Hospital,” said Roger Hayes, chairman, Health Care Authority of Haleyville and Winston County. “Their partnership gives us a stronger path forward and helps protect the long-term sustainability of local health care in Winston County.”

“Maintaining a strong local hospital is critical to Winston County’s economic development, business recruitment and quality of life,” said David Cummings, chairman of the Winston County Commission. “Local access to health care reduces travel burdens for patients and families, supports local jobs, and strengthens community stability. Preserving Lakeland Community Hospital is important to the health and future of Winston County.”

Preserving access to care close to home is central to HH Health’s mission as a nonprofit, community-based health system.

“When a community loses access to its hospital, the impact reaches far beyond one building,” said Jeff Samz, president and CEO of HH Health. “It affects patients, families, local employers, emergency responders and neighboring hospitals. This agreement is about acting before that happens in Winston County. Lakeland Community Hospital has an impressive, dedicated team and plays an integral role in this region. HH Health is proud to help support its future.”

The agreement comes at a time when hospitals across Alabama and the country are facing significant financial pressure, with some communities confronting the possibility of losing local access to care. For Winston County, this affiliation represents a proactive step to preserve care close to home and reflects the important role strong regional partnerships can play in supporting local hospitals.

The affiliation agreement is effective as of July 1, 2026.

FAQ’s

Is Lakeland Community Hospital being sold?

No. This is not an acquisition or purchase. The affiliation agreement creates a formal partnership between Lakeland Community Hospital and Huntsville Hospital Health System to help support Lakeland’s long-term stability and continued access to care close to home.

What is an affiliation agreement?

An affiliation agreement is a formal partnership between two organizations that outlines how they will work together in specific ways. It is not a sale, merger, acquisition or purchase. In this case, the agreement provides financial support, strategic guidance and access to resources to help Lakeland Community Hospital reach long-term stability while maintaining local leadership, day-to-day operations and community focus.

Will Lakeland Community Hospital become part of Huntsville Hospital Health System?

No. Lakeland Community Hospital is not part of Huntsville Hospital Health System under this affiliation agreement. Lakeland will continue normal operations as a 25-bed critical access hospital.

Will Lakeland Community Hospital close?

No. The purpose of this affiliation agreement is to help stabilize Lakeland Community Hospital and preserve local health care services for Winston County and northwest Alabama.

Why partner with Huntsville Hospital Health System?

Lakeland approached HH Health seeking a strong regional partner that understood the importance of preserving local care. As a nonprofit, community-based health system, HH Health’s mission includes preserving access to care close to home. The affiliation provides financial support, strategic guidance and access to resources to help Lakeland reach long-term stability and continue caring for the community.

Supporting strong local hospitals benefits the entire region by helping patients receive care closer to home and helping hospitals across the region preserve capacity for patients who need advanced or specialized care.

Will patients or staff notice changes?

Patients and staff should not see changes in day-to-day care or management. Lakeland will maintain its local leadership, day-to-day operations and community focus. Over time, the goal is to strengthen Lakeland’s access to resources and support.

Will emergency services remain local?

Yes. Emergency care remains an essential service for our community and will continue to be available locally with a physician 24/7.

Will patients have to travel to Huntsville for care?

No. The goal is to keep care local whenever possible. As is true today, patients may be referred to another hospital or specialist when they need advanced services, equipment or specialty expertise not available locally.

Will local services be reduced?

The goal of the affiliation is to preserve and strengthen local services whenever possible while supporting access to resources that can be difficult for rural hospitals to provide independently.

Will local jobs be eliminated?

The intent of the affiliation is stability and sustainability, not workforce reductions. Strong local health care depends on strong local teams. Lakeland’s physicians, nurses and staff remain the foundation of patient care in the community.

Will employee benefits change?

No. Employees remain employees of Lakeland Community Hospital. Any questions about employee benefits should be directed to Lakeland leadership or Human Resources.

Who will make decisions about local health care services?

Lakeland will maintain local leadership, day-to-day operations and management. The Health Care Authority of Haleyville and Winston County will continue to be in place, and local leadership and community needs will remain important in decisions affecting health care services in Winston County.

How does this benefit Winston County?

A strong local hospital supports patients, families, employees and the broader community. Local access to care reduces travel burdens, supports local jobs, strengthens emergency preparedness and helps support economic development and community stability.

Does this affiliation replace local tax support for Lakeland Community Hospital?

No. The affiliation agreement provides important financial support, but it does not replace the need for existing local support for Lakeland Community Hospital. Local tax allocations remain necessary to meet current obligations and support the hospital’s long-term stability.

When does the affiliation agreement take effect?

The affiliation agreement is effective July 1, 2026.