The following hospital mergers, acquisitions and general transactions took place or were announced in December, beginning with the most recent.
1. Florida Hospital intends to acquire Bert Fish Medical Center
Florida Hospital in Tampa signed a letter of intent to acquire Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
2. Bon Secours Virginia Health finalizes acquisition of Rappahannock General Hospital
Bon Secours Virginia Health System in Richmond finalized its acquisition of Rappahannock General Hospital in Kilmarnock, Va.
3. Trinity Health to acquire Saint Francis Care
Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health signed a definitive agreement to acquire Saint Francis Care, a three-hospital system based in Hartford, Conn.
4. Rockford Health System, Mercy Health System merger receives go-ahead
The merger between Janesville, Wis.-based Mercy Health System and Rockford (Ill.) Health System was approved, creating a regional health system that will provide healthcare services to patients in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
5. 102-year-old hospital in New Jersey sells for $26M
Runnells Specialized Hospital, a 102-year-old facility in Berkeley Heights, N.J., was sold to Center Management Group in Flushing, N.Y., for $26 million.
6. Northern Westchester Hospital to join North Shore-LIJ Health System
Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y., is set to join North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in Manhasset, N.Y., under an agreement signed by both organizations.
7. Baptist Health to form joint venture with Tenet subsidiary
Birmingham, Ala.-based Baptist Health System signed an exclusive, non-binding letter of intent to form a jointly owned company with 645-bed Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, a subsidiary of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare.
8. Boston Medical Center, Tufts begin merger talk
Boston Medical Center, the largest safety net hospital in Massachusetts, and Tufts Medical Center in Boston confirmed they are discussing a merger.
9. Good Samaritan Health System inks deal to join WellSpan
Good Samaritan Health System in Lebanon, Pa., signed an affiliation agreement to join nonprofit WellSpan Health, based in York, Pa.
10. Community Health Systems to sell Arkansas hospital
Franklin, Tenn.-based hospital healthcare giant Community Health Systems announced plans to close the sale of 133-bed Newport, Ark.-based Harris Hospital and its outpatient facilities early in the first quarter of 2015.
11. Onslow Memorial Hospital in exclusive partnership talks with CarolinaEast, Vidant
Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, N.C., is now one step closer to entering into a partnership agreement, as members of the hospital's board voted to enter into exclusive negotiations with CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern, N.C., and Vidant Health in Greenville, N.C.
12. Merger between Catholic Health, Mount St. Mary's Hospital receives go-ahead
New York State Health Department officials approved plans for 175-bed Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center in Lewiston, N.Y., to become a full member of Catholic Health.
13. University Hospital signs deal with Washington County Hospital
Augusta, Ga.-based nonprofit University Hospital signed a five-year agreement with the Hospital Authority of Washington County to begin managing the Sandersville, Ga.-based Washington County Regional Medical Center on Jan. 1.
14. Beaufort Memorial Hospital buys surgery center, expands outpatient surgical services
Beaufort (S.C.) Memorial Hospital purchased the Surgery Center of Beaufort, allowing it to expand its outpatient surgical services.
15. SunLink Health to sell Callaway Community Hospital for $6 million
Atlanta-based SunLink Health Systems announced an agreement to sell 49-bed Callaway Community Hospital based in Fulton, Mo., in a deal expected to close by the end of the year.
16. Allegheny Health Network acquires Klingensmith Healthcare
Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network acquired a majority ownership of Ford City, Pa.-based Klingensmith Healthcare, a respiratory and home medical device equipment and services provider.
17. Molina Healthcare to take over Florida Medicaid plan from First Coast Advantage
Long Beach, Calif.-based Molina Healthcare, through its subsidiary Molina Healthcare of Florida, entered into a definitive agreement with First Coast Advantage to acquire certain assets from First Coast, including the company's Medicaid contract.
18. HealthSouth to acquire Encompass Home Health and Hospice for $750M
Birmingham, Ala.-based HealthSouth, an inpatient rehabilitation hospital operator, signed a definitive agreement to acquire EHHI Holdings, which owns Dallas-based Encompass Home Health and Hospice, for $750 million.