Saint Luke’s Health System announced recently that the organization has signed a letter of intent with BJC HealthCare of St. Louis to form an integrated health system.
When complete, the new health system will continue to serve Saint Luke’s and BJC’s distinct markets, maintain their existing brands, and operate from dual headquarters under regional leadership teams — one in Kansas City serving western Missouri and portions of Kansas and one in St. Louis serving eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. All hospitals, clinics and facilities will continue their day-to-day operations and no reduction in workforce is anticipated. There will also be no interruption to patient care or access to resources because of this agreement.
BJC’s President and CEO Richard Liekweg will serve as CEO of the new system. The board and leadership team will include representation from both organizations.
BJC HealthCare is among the St. Louis region’s largest health systems. The boards of both systems unanimously approved the letter of intent, and the organizations are working to reach a definitive agreement by the end of this year. The final agreement will require regulatory approval.
Saint Luke’s Health System has more than 14 hospitals and campuses and more than 100 primary care and specialty offices across 67 counties in Missouri and Kansas. BJC HealthCare, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health care systems, includes 14 hospitals and multiple health service organizations.
