The following healthcare mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and general transactions took place or were announced during the past week.
1. OSF HealthCare to pay $185M for 2 Presence Health facilities in Illinois
Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare will purchase two of Chicago-based Presence Health's facilities in southern Illinois for a combined $185 million.
2. UPMC expands international operations with 50% stake in Rome hospital
Pittsburgh-based UPMC expanded its Italian operations by acquiring a 50 percent ownership stake in Salvator Mundi International Hospital, a 75-bed private hospital in Rome.
3. Self Regional Healthcare, Edgefield County Hospital to explore further alignment
The boards of Edgefield (S.C.) County Hospital and Greenwood, S.C.-based Self Regional Healthcare agreed to further the institutions' existing two-year partnership through an affiliation Sept. 19.
4. Tennessee health department approves proposed Wellmont, MSHA merger
Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, granted Kingsport, Tenn.-based Wellmont Health System and Johnson City, Tenn.-based Mountain States Health Alliance's request for a certificate of public advantage Sept. 19.
5. Sacred Heart Hospital to merge with St. Luke's University Health Network
Allentown, Pa.-based Sacred Heart HealthCare System, parent company of Allentown-based Sacred Heart Hospital, revealed plans to merge with St. Luke's University Health Network, a seven-hospital system in Bethlehem, Pa., Sept. 19.
6. Franklin Medical Center in North Carolina to reopen as freestanding ED in 2018
Louisburg, N.C.-based Franklin Medical Center will reopen as a freestanding emergency department in 2018 after the Franklin County Board of Commissioners reached a lease agreement with Brentwood, Tenn.-based Duke LifePoint.
7. Highlands Health System to merge with Appalachian Regional Healthcare
Prestonsburg, Ky.-based Highlands Health System and Lexington, Ky.-based Appalachian Regional Healthcare signed a letter of intent to merge.
8. CHI, Dignity Health reportedly in final stages of due diligence for proposed affiliation
Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiatives officials said the health system is conducting the final stages of the due diligence process to align with San Francisco-based Dignity Health.
9. FTC clears $4.38B Walgreens, Rite Aid deal
The Federal Trade Commission approved the amended merger agreement between Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens Boots Alliance and Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid Sept. 19 after nearly two years of negotiations.
10. Missouri hospital lands last-minute buyer, avoids closure
Fulton (Mo.) Medical Center will no longer close after the facility scored a buyer less than one week before it was slated to shut down.