NASHVILLE — Associated Healthcare Systems, Inc. (AHS), a Brentwood, Tennessee based hospital company, announced the signing of a definitive agreement that provides for the acquisition of Berrien County Hospital and Berrien Nursing Center, ending the facilities’ affiliation with Community Health Systems, Inc., also of Brentwood.

The transaction is retroactive to Nov. 1, 2003.

Patient care and medical services will continue without interruption, and all employees will continue in their current positions. The hospital’s name will not change.

Terry Whittington will serve as the facility’s interim chief executive officer and will be advanced to the hospital board of trustees and medical staff for consideration for the permanent position.

An accomplished hospital professional, Whittington has worked in healthcare for more than 30 years and has most recently served as chief executive for Lane Memorial Hospital in Zachary, La., a 107-bed medical center with a free standing rehabilitation hospital and nursing home.

Whittington noted that the transition in hospital ownership will be a largely seamless process for patients and the community.

“We are pleased to welcome Berrien County Hospital and Nursing Center to our growing network of facilities,” said A. Ronald Turner, chief executive officr of AHS. “Because AHS focuses almost exclusively on operating very small hospitals in rural communities, we are uniquely qualified to meet the needs of facilities like BCH. Our size will allow for increased flexibility and attention–both of which are necessary for survival in today’s operating environment.”