ST. LOUIS (NewsFirst) — Two of Missouri’s largest health systems announced they have finalized a deal to merge and create a $10 billion organization that will operate 28 hospitals and hundreds of clinics across three states.
BJC Health System of St. Louis and Saint Luke’s Health System of Kansas City said they expect to close the transaction on Jan. 1, 2024, after signing a definitive agreement following a letter of intent in May, according to the press release by BJC.
The combined entity will serve as an integrated, academic and patient-centric health system that will deliver high-quality, affordable care to communities in Missouri, southern Illinois and eastern Kansas, the organizations said in a joint statement.
Saint Luke’s will join BJC as a single health care organization that will have a distinct brand in each region: BJC HealthCare in St. Louis and Saint Luke’s in Kansas City. BJC President and CEO Richard Liekweg will continue to lead the integrated system, while Saint Luke’s CEO Melinda Estes will retire at the end of the year.
The merger will allow the health systems to invest in medical advancements and innovation, attract and retain top talent, accelerate medical research and education, and address health care disparities and social determinants of health, the statement said.
BJC is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, one of the nation’s leading medical schools. BJC’s academic hospitals, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s, are nationally recognized for their clinical excellence and research. Saint Luke’s Hospital has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the country.
BJC has hospitals and other medical care facilities across portions of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, including two locations in St. Francois county that serves as regional hospitals for that area.
