BJC Health to scoop up St. Luke’s hospital as part of merger deal
St. Luke’s Hospital in Missouri is set to join the network of a larger nonprofit health system, a merger that, when complete, would make it part of BJC Health.
According to an announcement, the groups aim to “create a stronger, more connected local care network for the St. Louis region,” where St. Luke’s currently operates independently. BJC, an academic nonprofit health system, is the largest healthcare provider group in the state, operating 27 hospitals and dozens of patient care clinics and supportive infrastructure, including labs and long-term care facilities.
The financial terms of the deal, which are still being worked out, were not disclosed. The groups said it may take several months to come to a definitive agreement, after which time the acquisition will need to pass through an approval process by regulators.
For now, it isn’t clear if St. Luke’s would retain any independence. The hospital said it entered into the merger talks in an effort to “identify the best path forward for St. Luke’s and the communities it serves."
It added that patients can continue to see their doctors and all appointments will be maintained as scheduled. The shift is being framed as providing expanded access, not intended to take services away from the St. Louis metro area.
“For 160 years, St. Luke’s has cared for generations of families across the St. Louis region,” Vincent Ferrari, chairman, St. Luke’s board of directors, said in a statement. “The board recognizes our responsibility to continue this legacy and proactively shape St. Luke’s future, and we are confident joining BJC is the way to do just that.”
“In BJC, we have identified a partner that shares our commitment to patients and quality, respects St. Luke’s mission, culture, and identity, and values our team members and physicians.”
Upgrades incoming
BJC said part of the agreement will include technology and equipment updates for St. Luke’s, aimed at improving patient care delivery and operations at the hospital. The nonprofit health system said it’s also looking into how it can retain providers who already work for the hospital, as well as ways it can recruit more staff as services expand.
In joining the BJC network, St. Luke’s will also have access to WashU Medicine, as the groups are affiliated. The expansion would provide patients in St. Louis with “primary and community-based care” as well as “highly specialized and subspecialty services” after the merger is complete, BJC promised in the announcement.
“St. Luke’s is a trusted leader in our region with a reputation for excellence,” said Nick Barto, president and CEO of BJC Health. “Together, we will build on that foundation through our aligned clinical strengths and complementary services.”
“Our shared goal is to expand access to differentiated, high-quality care while ensuring St. Luke’s can continue serving the growing communities of west St. Louis for generations to come,” he added.
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