By BETSY TAYLOR
Henry, Jr.
As Catholic Health World went to press, Tulsa, Okla.-based Saint Francis Health System said it would acquire EASTAR Health System's two hospitals in Muskogee, Okla., and affiliated entities such as physician clinics and ambulatory services on
April 1.
Jake Henry Jr., president and chief executive of Saint Francis Health System, said in a statement the acquisition is consistent with Saint Francis Health System's strategic plan for increased focus on regionalization, with an expanded footprint in Oklahoma. Muskogee is about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.
Saint Francis Health System is acquiring two hospitals in Muskogee, Okla., about 50 miles from Tulsa. The system’s Yale campus in Tulsa is shown here, with several of the system’s hospitals located on this campus, including Saint Francis Hospital.
Saint Francis is acquiring the 320-bed EASTAR Health System from Brentwood, Tenn.-based RCCH HealthCare Partners. The transaction assigns the long-term lease of EASTAR's main campus to Saint Francis Health System and includes the sale of EASTAR's east campus to Saint Francis, the systems said in a news release. Terms have not been disclosed. Saint Francis plans to run the hospitals, which are currently for-profit facilities, as Catholic nonprofit hospitals.
Saint Francis in December acquired the 62-bed Craig General Hospital in Vinita, Okla., and changed the name to Saint Francis Hospital Vinita.
In addition, Saint Francis Health operates in the Diocese of Tulsa with the permission and blessing of the local ordinary, Bishop David Konderla. It includes the 1,112-bed Saint Francis Hospital, the Children's Hospital at Saint Francis, the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis, Saint Francis Hospital South, and Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, all in Tulsa.