KANSAS CITY, MO., May 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carondelet Health, a Health Ministry of Ascension Health, and HCA Midwest Health System today announced an agreement whereby Carondelet Health will sell St. Joseph and St. Mary's Medical Centers, which will become part of the HCA Midwest Health System.
Included in the transaction is Carondelet Health's ownership in: Carondelet Home Care, Carondelet Cardiology Services, Carondelet Health Resources, Carondelet Medical Enterprises, Carondelet Occupational Health, Wellness and Education Services, Carondelet Health Pharmacy, Carondelet Physicians Services, South Kansas City Surgery Center and St. Mary's Surgical Center. Carondelet Manor, Villa St. Joseph, St. Mary's Manor and the two hospital foundations will remain operated by Ascension Health.
The HCA Midwest Health System is Kansas City's largest healthcare provider and private sector employer, which has 10 hospitals, outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers and an array of other services to meet the healthcare needs of the greater Kansas City area. This will give the HCA Midwest Health System a total of 12 hospitals, 7 surgery centers and over 10,000 employees.
The HCA Midwest Health System will work with the local Catholic Diocese to preserve the hospitals' Catholic heritage. "HCA Midwest Health System intends for Carondelet Health to continue operating in accordance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services," said Fleury Yelvington, President and Chief Executive Officer, Carondelet Health. "This agreement with HCA Midwest Health System will strengthen Carondelet's presence in the Kansas City area and ensure the system's long-term success."
"We are pleased our agreement with Carondelet Health has been signed," said M.L. Lagarde, President of HCA Midwest and HCA's MidAmerica Division. "We are looking forward to securing required regulatory approvals and finalizing the sale. We respect the dedication and skill of the professionals of St. Joseph and St. Mary's medical centers, and we are committed to continuing the hospitals' tradition of providing quality, Catholic healthcare to our communities."
"This agreement with HCA Midwest Health System supports Ascension Health's focus on serving communities as needed and how needed," said Robert J. Henkel, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Health. "Ascension Health will continue to serve the greater Kansas City community by helping to meet the growing need for senior services through Carondelet Manor, Villa St. Joseph and St. Mary's Manor."
"I am hopeful that this agreement will assure the viability and Catholic identity of St. Joseph and St. Mary's medical centers," said St. Joseph Bishop Robert W. Finn. "The Catholic community can also be thankful that as members of the HCA Midwest Health System, St. Joseph and St. Mary's will continue to offer the charitable and community outreach that has been the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Kansas City for nearly 150 years."
The transaction is expected to be complete by the end of the year, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Specific terms of the asset purchase agreement were not released.
###
About Carondelet Health
Carondelet Health (www.carondelethealth.org) consists of two acute care hospitals, St. Joseph and St. Mary's Medical Centers, with 450 beds and 900 physicians on staff combined. Both acute-care facilities have earned Magnet Designation for excellence in nursing. Consistent with its mission, Carondelet Health provides compassionate, quality healthcare with a special concern for the poor.
About Ascension Health
Ascension Health (www.ascensionhealth.org) is transforming healthcare by providing the highest quality care to all, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Ascension Health, which provided $1.3 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs last year, is the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. Our Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 122,000 associates serving in more than 1,400 locations in 21 states and the District of Columbia.
About HCA Midwest Health System
The HCA Midwest Health System is the Kansas City area's largest healthcare provider, consisting of 10 hospitals, outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers and an array of other services to meet the healthcare needs of the greater Kansas City area. The HCA Midwest Health System is also the area's largest private sector employer with more than 9,000 employees, the largest provider of charity and uncompensated care, and annually donates more than $1.2 million to local charities. Since April 2003, the HCA Midwest Health System has invested more than $845 million to enhance and expand patient services and has paid more than $216 million in taxes to local communities. The HCA Midwest Health System affiliated facilities serving the Kansas City area include Research Medical Center, Research Psychiatric Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Lee's Summit Medical Center, Belton Regional Medical Center, Lafayette Regional Health Center, Allen County Hospital and Cass Regional Medical Center. Midwest Physicians, which is part of the HCA Midwest Health System, is a network of experienced, multi-specialty physicians located throughout the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Midwest Physicians currently represents 339 physicians, including 145 primary care providers and 189 specialists with 80 physician practices providing care in 148 locations to serve the community. The physicians, licensed professionals and support staff who comprise the HCA Midwest Health System team are dedicated to improving healthcare in the Greater Kansas City and outlying areas. For more information, visit hcamidwest.com. To find a doctor, call (816) 751-3000 or (913) 541-7400.
