Ascension Saint Thomas and Lifepoint Health announce joint venture
The two health systems also jointly own Ascension Saint Thomas Rehabilitation Hospital in Nashville.
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Ascension Saint Thomas and Lifepoint Health have announced a venture to jointly own Lifepoint's Highpoint Health System in Northern Middle Tennessee.
The hospitals and sites of care included in the joint venture will be co-branded with Ascension Saint Thomas and will be majority-owned and operated by Lifepoint Health.
The three Highpoint Health System hospitals in the partnership include Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin; Trousdale Medical Center in Hartsville; Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage, along with more than 15 affiliated clinics and sites of care.
The Sumner Regional Medical Center is Highpoint's 155-bed flagship hospital located in Gallatin. Highpoint has a fourth hospital, Livingston Regional Hospital in Livingston, Tennessee, according to Highpoint.
Each hospital's current leadership team remains in place and no significant changes are anticipated for employees. Moving forward, the Highpoint hospitals will adopt the names of Highpoint Health – Sumner; Highpoint Health – Trousdale; and Highpoint Health – Riverview.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The partnership brings together the organizations' clinical excellence, best practices and caregivers to collaborate to improve access to clinical programs and specialty care for patients and communities, the health systems said.
"We are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves together to tackle some of the most pressing healthcare issues we face in this region, including growing our specialist base and services," said Rod Harkleroad, market president of Highpoint Health and CEO of Sumner Regional Medical Center.
This is the second joint venture partnership for the two health systems, since Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas also jointly own Ascension Saint Thomas Rehabilitation Hospital in Nashville.
THE LARGER TREND
Lifepoint Health has 60 community hospital campuses, more than 60 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals and 250 additional sites of care, including managed acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities.
Ascension Saint Thomas is a faith-based, nonprofit health system that covers a 45-county area in Tennessee consisting of 13 hospitals and a network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and specialty facilities.
Ascension Saint Thomas is part of Ascension, one of the nation's largest faith-based healthcare organizations.
ON THE RECORD
"Lifepoint is a strong and trusted partner, and we share a commitment of making communities healthier," said Fahad Tahir, president and chief executive officer, Ascension Saint Thomas. "The positive impact we can make together to build and expand our clinical programs will have a multiplying effect for the health of our region and the communities we serve."
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org
