Cooper University Health Care said on Dec. 15 it was no longer pursuing the acquisitions of three Trinity Health hospitals in western and central New Jersey and their related care sites.
The acquisitions were to include Lourdes Health System, the parent of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden and Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, along with St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton.
Dr. Reginald Blaber, president of Lourdes Health System, and Dave Ricci, interim president of St. Francis Medical Center, expressed disappointment that a final agreement couldn't be reached. They said the hospitals will continue to pursue strategic partnerships.
Cooper University Health Care said after "exhaustive due diligence," it could not proceed with the transaction. Cooper University Health Care's President and Chief Executive Adrienne Kirby said the decision was not made lightly. Cooper University Hospital, an academic medical center affiliated with the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, is located about a mile from the 340-bed Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden.