Following months of study and discussion on the benefits of combining health care operations, Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines has completed its previously announced acquisition of Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Effective today, Skiff is a fully owned Mercy hospital and a member of Mercy Health Network. The Newton hospital will initially continue to operate under the Skiff name. The formerly city-owned hospital, which has an annual operating budget of $38 million, has 48 beds and an adjoining medical office building with local physician practices and the hospital’s physical medicine and rehabilitation center. Mercy President Bob Ritz said: “Through our working together, Skiff Medical Center will continue to provide quality care in the safest environment possible. As a vital part of the Newton community, we look forward to helping improve access to specialty services and providing a remarkable patient experience for everyone we have the privilege to serve.”