MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — After months of uncertainty about the future of Oconee Regional Medical Center, it now appears a brighter future lies ahead.

Members of the Oconee Regional Medical Center (ORMC) Inc., and Oconee Regional Health Systems Inc. boards voted unanimously Wednesday night to enter into a sale agreement with Prime Healthcare Foundation.

Prime Healthcare Foundation is a 501(c) public charity and an affiliate of Prime Healthcare Services, one of the country’s leading health systems. Prime Healthcare Services operates 44 hospitals in 14 different states.

Steven M. Johnson, interim chief executive officer of ORMC, said he couldn’t be more pleased about the future.

“Our goal when we began this process over a year ago was to maintain a viable hospital here in Baldwin County,” Johnson said in a prepared statement. “We have accomplished that end, and as a result, our community will continue to have access to quality care.”

Prime Healthcare’s Dr. Prem Reddy, who serves as chairman, president and chief executive officer, said he and others with Prime Healthcare look forward to caring for the community and partnering with the dedicated physicians, nurses and employees at ORMC.

“We are committed to providing the best quality care in each and every community we serve, and the addition of Oconee Regional to the Prime Healthcare family will allow us to continue that tradition.”

For the past several years, the regional hospital, which provides medical services to thousands of residents in seven different counties, has been financially plagued.

The pending sale agreement, which has to be approved by the Georgia Attorney General before it can be finalized, is a result of a lot of hard work on the part of a lot people, Johnson said.

He said the process to transfer ownership of the hospital will take about 90 days.

In addition to the hospital, the pending sale agreement also includes the sale of Oconee Regional Health Ventures Inc., according to Ted Zarkowsky, board chairman of Oconee Regional Health Systems, Inc.

During that period, the hospital will continue day-to-day operations without interruptions.

“We want to work with the new owner to ensure a smooth transition for patients, employees and medical staff,” Johnson said.

Johnson added: “During a challenging period for the hospital, our team continued to deliver high-quality patient care and helped us reduce costs, successfully positioning us for this opportunity.”

Dr. Phyllis Parks-Veal, who serves as chairwoman of ORMC, Inc., said she, too, is excited about the future of the hospital.

“Prime Healthcare has a national reputation for successfully turning around hospitals like ours,” Parks-Veal said. “Their experience will allow for stabilization of the hospital, expanded services, recruitment of medical staff, and capital improvements — all of which is good for our community.”

During the period in which hospital officials have been working to find a potential buyer to become partners, two local elected officials have been among those kept closely apprised of developments.

“One of the most important assets for any community is access to health care,” said Baldwin County Commission Chairman Sammy Hall said. “Without that we cannot promise the quality of life we want for our citizens nor can we attract the kind of economic development that is so critical to our future.”

Hall said without question, the latest agreement was one “in the best interest of the county.”

Commissioner Henry Craig, meanwhile, said he appreciated having had the opportunity to be part of such a process.

“The decision made will not only stabilize the hospital, but ultimately make it an even greater asset for our community.”