Prime Healthcare to acquire nine Ascension hospitals in Illinois
Prime Healthcare has entered into an agreement to purchase nine Ascension Illinois hospitals, associated physician practices, and post-acute and senior living facilities.
The transaction is expected to close within the first quarter of 2025, once regulatory and canonical approvals are secured. Upon completion, the acquisition will be the largest in the history of Prime Healthcare and the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity
Until that time, Prime Healthcare and the Ascension Illinois facilities will continue to operate independently under a consulting agreement.
Ascension’s Illinois hospitals being sold to Prime include: Ascension Holy Family in Des Plaines, Ascension Mercy in Aurora, Ascension Saint Francis in Evanston, and Ascension Saint Joseph in Elgin. The transaction also covers post-acute and senior living facilities currently operated by Ascension Living, including Fox Knoll Village in Aurora and Resurrection Place in Park Ridge.
“Ascension Illinois has been committed to our mission of serving all persons, with special attention to those who are most vulnerable,” said Polly Davenport, president and chief executive officer of Ascension Illinois. “Prime Healthcare’s mission and commitment to clinical excellence and health equity will carry on this legacy, ensuring that the greater Chicago area has sustainable, quality health care access long into the future.”
Prime Healthcare’s national health system currently includes 44 hospitals, more than 300 outpatient locations, and nearly 45,000 employees and affiliated physicians in 14 states serving more than 600 communities nationwide.
As part of the acquisition, Prime Healthcare is investing $250 million in facility upgrades, capital improvements, substantial technology investments and system upgrades. Prime also has agreed to make offers of employment to nearly all associates. Prime will continue and expand services based on community needs, and will continue charity care and community benefit programs, according to a news release.
“Our agreement with Ascension reflects our decadeslong mission of saving, improving and investing in community hospitals and we are excited to bring these Ascension Illinois facilities into our Prime Healthcare family, preserving our shared values and mutual commitment to patient-centered care,” said Dr. Sunny Bhatia, president and chief medical officer of Prime Healthcare.