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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The University of Alabama-Birmingham Health System Authority announced on June 25 that it has reached an agreement with Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System to assume ownership of its central Alabama healthcare facilities, which includes the Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Hospital. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the agreement, and it was “to sustain patients’ access to the highest quality care in Birmingham and surrounding communities,” according to a press release from UAB.

“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,” Dawn Bulgarella, UAB Health System CEO and CEO of the UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance, said in the press release. “UAB and St. Vincent’s exist to improve lives, and that purpose will drive our actions in the coming months and beyond.”

The hopes of the UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance and its recent acquisition is to increase access for Alabamians to high quality and innovative medical care across all 17 of its hospitals. Ascension St. Vincent’s CEO and Senior Vice President Jason Alexander said that the network is now best positioned to expand the medical care opportunities for patients even more following the acquisition. This would potentially open more doors for other medical care for patients in Chilton County as well.

“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,” Alexander said in the press release. “Among other benefits, patients will gain access to a larger network of local services through UAB.”

UAB and Ascension expect the acquisition to be completed in the fall after standard approvals and conditions are finalized. Until then, all UAB Health System and Ascension St. Vincent’s healthcare facilities will still work under normal operating procedures. Both parties are “committed to working and communicating diligently with patients, employees, caregivers, associates and community partners,” according to the press release.

“UAB Health System and Ascension are committed to our patients and employees, caregivers and associates and will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition in the short term, and that we enhance the overall patient and employee experience in the long-term,” Bulgarella said in the press release. “Since 1898, Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates have served our community well. “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.”

Along with the Chilton County hospital, the acquisition also includes Ascension St. Vincent’s hospitals at Birmingham, East, St. Clair and facilities in Trussville. It also includes current St. Vincent’s services, facilities caregivers and associates serving in the central Alabama region. Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Hospital will continue to keep its patients updated as more details about the acquisition, and possible changes, are released in the coming months.