From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–The University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System Authority is set to assume ownership of Ascension St. Vincent’s in central Alabama in a deal totaling $450 million after the University of Alabama Board of Trustees voted to approve the agreement on Tuesday.
Under the agreement, UAB Health will assume ownership of all Ascension St. Vincent’s sites of care including the hospitals in Birmingham, Blount, Chilton, East, and St. Clair as well as the One Nineteen Campus, the Trussville Freestanding Emergency Department, and imaging centers and other Ascension Medical Group clinics.
The deal will also include current Ascension St. Vincent’s services, facilities, caregivers, and associates, including a robust network of providers serving the region.
UAB Health System and Ascension St. Vincent’s will continue normal operations while their teams collaborate to plan the transition.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, subject to standard regulatory approvals and pending satisfaction of closing conditions and approval by the Catholic Church.
“Patients will continue to have access to the healthcare services and providers they’ve come to trust, and ultimately gain access to a larger care network,” said UAB Health System CEO Dawn Bulgarella, who also serves as CEO of the UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance.
“UAB and St. Vincent’s exist to improve lives, and that purpose will drive our actions in the coming months and beyond.”
According to UAB, patients will be able to continue seeing their current doctor or provider and should not experience any changes in their care.
UAB also plans to continue operating St. Vincent’s facilities with the caregivers and associates that are currently serving their communities.
UAB has also stated that the deal will not affect how much patients pay for services.
“As part of our shared commitment to our patients, caregivers, associates and community, we have continued to discuss options to better deliver on our missions in an increasingly complex environment,” Ascension St. Vincent’s CEO and Ascension Senior Vice President Jason Alexander said.
“It became clear that adding Ascension St. Vincent’s to UAB Health System’s network of owned hospitals–and combining and optimizing our collective strengths–is the solution to ensure that our community retains access to sustainable, high-quality healthcare. Among other benefits, patients will gain access to a larger network of local services through UAB.”
The UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance launched in 2020 in an effort to increase Alabamians’ access to high-quality, innovative medical care and to help patients receive the right care at the right time and place.
UAB and Ascension St. Vincent’s leadership view this agreement as the natural next step to continue to expand access to sustainable care in Alabama.
“Even as our structure is changing, Ascension’s dedication to health equity and to serving the most vulnerable in Alabama remains steadfast,” added Alexander.
“The Ascension Foundation for Health Equity will continue its presence in the market and expand grantmaking beyond the transition period, investing in nonprofit organizations that accelerate positive change for generations of Alabamians.”
Bulgarella continued, “Our mission and vision to provide life-changing care and be the leader in improving the health and lives of all we serve aligns with the outstanding St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates who have served these communities for years.”
“We look forward to supporting continued operations and providing opportunities for Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates to essentially remain in their current positions; our goal is to support fulfilling and meaningful careers in service to our patients and communities,” she added.
Ray Watts, M.D., who chairs the UAB Health System Board in addition to serving as UAB president, said UAB Health System is uniquely positioned to deliver on that commitment to sustain patient and employee success.
“UAB Health System is recognized among the nation’s best for innovative, world-class, people-first care, as well as among the best places to work in healthcare,” Watts said.
“As an Alabama-operated health system we love, understand and meet the needs of our local communities, and we deeply respect Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers’ and associates’ similar community- and mission-focused commitment.”
Bulgarella said Ascension St. Vincent’s central Alabama operations also has a proud history on which UAB Health System plans to build with Ascension caregivers and associates.
“Since 1898, Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates have served our community well,” Bulgarella said.
“We are excited to honor and continue their culture and legacy, and make sure they feel secure and appreciated in this transition. I look forward to integrating our talented, mission-focused teams as we work together toward continuity and positive results for those we serve.”
During a special called meeting of the UA System Board of Trustees at which the membership interest purchase agreement passed with unanimous support, Bulgarella and UA System Chancellor Sid J. Trant recommended the resolution for approval.
“As you all know, the University of Alabama System and the UAB Health System exist to improve the lives of Alabamians and beyond,” he said. “This acquisition will go a long way to that end and will move the UA System toward fulfilling its vision of becoming the preeminent public system of higher education and health care in the United States.”
For more information, visit uabstv.org
