In an effort to strengthen the quality of local healthcare, Jennie Stuart Health and Deaconess Health Kentucky reached a definitive merger agreement on Tuesday following much debate in the community.
This announcement comes after a lengthy due diligence period that began when a Letter of Intent between Jennie Stuart and Deaconess was signed in September of 2024, and after the civil court case between the Jennie Stuart Health Board of Trustees and Save Jennie Stuart, Inc. (SJS) was dismissed in Christian Circuit Civil Court on Monday.
According to a news release from Jennie Stuart, the agreement includes at least a $95 million investment from Deaconess to transition Jennie Stuart to Epic Medical Records an electronic health records system. The system is expected to reduce the potential for errors and improve physicians’ ability to provide care.
Under the agreement, Deaconess is also expected to contribute $5 million to the Jennie Stuart Health Foundation to access programs such as Tree of Life which provides financial assistance for local cancer patients, and Operation Love which supports Jennie Stuart employees going through unexpected financial troubles.
The Board of Trustees will have 12 members which includes three individuals appointed by Deaconess.
Jennie Stuart President and CEO, Eric Lee says this milestone will ensure Jennie Stuart can deliver even better health care for communities for the next 100 years. Lee also says Jennie Stuart and Deaconess share a strong commitment to expanding and investing in core medical services in Hopkinsville.
Deaconess Chief Executive Officer, Shawn McCoy says they are excited to take this important next step to help empower Jennie Stuart’s caregivers and strengthen patient care in the local community.
Deaconess officials say they will retain all active employees and maintain salaries, wages and benefits as of closing. The transaction is expected to close on or before August 1 of this year, at which time Jennie Stuart will become an operating subsidiary of Deaconess.
You can read the full release from Jennie Stuart Health here.
By Dionte Berry and Hannah Hageman