Hendrick Health System signed agreements to purchase Abilene Regional Medical Center and Brownwood Regional Medical Center from affiliates of Community Health Systems.
The organizations anticipate finalizing the transactions by the fall of 2020, subject to state regulatory approval.
“Throughout our more than 95-year history, we have met the healthcare needs of Abilene and surrounding areas,” said Brad Holland, president and CEO of Hendrick Health System, which is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
“We are proud to be a trusted healthcare partner to so many in our community, evidenced by the fact that we are often at capacity for many of our services. By Abilene Regional and Brownwood Regional joining Hendrick, we will be able to ensure patients have access to care when they need it.”
Through the proposed transactions, Hendrick is committed to maintaining healthcare services and promoting local jobs, while expanding access to care, officials with the healthcare system emphasized.
“Aligning with Hendrick Health System creates a more comprehensive regional network of hospitals for our region,” said Mike Murphy, chief executive officer of Abilene Regional. “Our hospitals have a shared commitment to serving patients with compassionate, quality care, and we look forward to joining together.”
Jace Jones, chief executive officer of Brownwood Regional, called the affiliation with Hendrick “an opportunity to collaborate on advancing medical care and services for our region.”
“We believe this affiliation will be good for our employees, our patients and our community,” Jones said.
Address capacity issues
Hendrick serves its surrounding 24 counties, and under normal circumstances, it operates at or near capacity for many services, with the emergency department and operating rooms regularly full.
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The proposed transactions would address these capacity issues, ensuring that patients and families do not have to travel to larger cities to receive more specialized services, officials said.
“Our leadership frequently discusses the region’s healthcare needs for today and in the future,” said Larry Smith, chair of Hendrick Health System Board of Trustees. “Our communities are only strong if our local healthcare is strong. We are excited about the ways the proposed transactions will allow us to maintain and increase jobs and services in the Big Country.”
Brownwood Regional Medical Center is leased pursuant to an agreement with the Brown County Hospital Authority. The parties intend to work with the authority in connection with the assignment of the long-term lease and operations to Hendrick Health System.
While they seek regulatory approval, Hendrick Health System, Abilene Regional Medical Center and Brownwood Regional Medical Center will continue to operate as separate and independent organizations.
Hendrick Health System traces its history to 1924, when it opened as West Texas Baptist Sanitarium. Millard Jenkins, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Abilene, and Jefferson Davis Sandefer, president of Simmons College, assembled the committee of prominent Abilene area citizens that gave birth to the hospital.
Today, Hendrick Health System includes Hendrick Medical Center, licensed for 540 beds, and a comprehensive range of healthcare services, including women’s health, orthopedics, rehabilitation, oncology, neuroscience, cardiovascular, neonatal intensive care and children’s services.
Based on information provided by Hendrick Health System. .
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