Special to The Courier

Cannon Memorial Hospital has officially changed its name to AnMed Health Cannon.

PICKENS — Cannon Memorial Hospital has taken another step forward in its integration agreement with AnMed Health by changing its name to AnMed Health Cannon.

“As our relationship has strengthened over the years, AnMed Health and Cannon have always kept the health of our communities at the forefront of our minds,” retired Cannon CEO Norm Rentz said. “Our name change is another milestone in that relationship — a visible symbol of expanded access to care and an even deeper commitment to the communities we serve.”

AnMed Health and Cannon have a relationship that dates back to 2009, but an agreement in 2014 further integrated the systems. Since then, leaders in nursing, business services, human resources and other functions have implemented changes that have aligned the two organizations’ standards of care and business practices.

Increased efficiency on the business side gives Cannon a greater operational advantage in a changing health care landscape that has caused many small hospitals to close. Meanwhile, the nursing staffs in Anderson and Pickens now are following synchronized standards of care and protocols.

“All of the changes we made in Pickens have been behind the scenes for most people, but they lay a solid foundation for the future of AnMed Health Cannon,” said AnMed Health assistant vice president Brandon Clary, who took over as CEO after Rentz retired in October. “I commend Norm for shepherding us through this transitional period. Local access to care is important.

“This partnership ensures that access for the future and offers an avenue to specialty care and other resources available through the AnMed Health System.”