Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health is reportedly on track to announce merger plans with a Chicago-based system by the end of the year. While the system's identity has not been revealed, some experts told the Chicago Tribune which system they believe may be under consideration.
Sanford Health President and CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft told SiouxFalls.Business this week that he has met with leaders of the Chicago system. While he declined to identify the system, he said the $1 billion organization was on the "West Side" of the city and includes "very good friends and allies."
Mr. Krabbenhoft also said Sanford's board is on track to vote to move the merger forward before the end of the year.
The Tribune spoke with representatives from Rush University Medical Center, Sinai Health System — both in Chicago — and Maywood, Ill.-based Loyola Medicine, which all have hospitals located on Chicago's West Side or in the western suburbs. Spokespeople for all three institutions told the publication they were not in talks with Sanford.
Some experts told the Tribune it's possible Sanford is looking to merge with Edward-Elmhurst Health. The system is in the western suburb of Naperville and saw a revenue of $1.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, according to an unaudited financial statement obtained by the Tribune.
A spokesperson for the three-hospital Edward-Elmhurst system told the publication it has no "immediate plans" to partner with another organization, but that it "continue[s] to look at options that might benefit our community and strengthen our health system."
"It has always been and continues to be our position that we, like many healthcare providers, should evaluate strategic opportunities on an ongoing basis," the spokesperson added.
A spokesperson for Sanford declined to comment to the Tribune.
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