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Story was originally published on KMBC.com/Connor Hill
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
The second-largest health care provider in Kansas City is officially merging with the largest health system in St. Louis on Jan. 1, 2024.
On Wednesday, BJC HealthCare and Saint Luke’s Health System finalized formal plans to merge, combining more than 28 hospitals on both sides of Missouri into a single provider.
The agreement follows a letter of intent signed in May 2023 and the completion of regulatory reviews.
The health systems called the move, “a definitive agreement to combine as an integrated, academic and patient-centric Missouri-based health system,”
Combined, the two health systems claim approximately $10 billion in revenue coming from 28 hospitals and hundreds of clinics across Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.
BJC President and CEO Richard Liekweg will continue to serve as CEO of the integrated health system, with Saint Luke’s CEO Melinda L. Estes set to retire at the end of the year.
“Our thorough due diligence review, in partnership with Saint Luke’s, has affirmed the vital opportunities we have to improve health care across the communities we serve,” Liekweg said in a press release announcing the merger. “As an integrated health system, we will be unwavering in our commitment to provide extraordinary care to our communities.”
The healthcare providers will maintain their distinct brands following the merger.
“Together, we have the opportunity to improve the health of our communities for decades to come and to establish a new national standard for medical education and research,” Estes said in the release.