Ascension St. Thomas and Lifepoint Health announce joint hospital venture

Ascension Saint Thomas is acquiring a financial stake in several hospitals and more than 15 affiliated clinics in Brentwood, Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health's portfolio in Northern Middle Tennesse, the two organizations announced on Friday.

The two companies will jointly own Highpoint Health System, which includes Sumner Regional Medical Center and Sumner Station in Gallatin; Trousdale Medical Center in Hartsville; Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage as well as other health center sites.

The companies declined to comment on the cost of the buy-in. But Lifepoint will retain a majority stake in ownership, according to both companies. The hospitals' leadership teams are also expected to remain in place. Both parties said "no significant changes are anticipated" for other employees.

"We want to take the best of both organizations to bring care closer home for patients," Fahad Tahir, the CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas, told The Tennessean. "There's a long-term commitment to the community that Lifepoint and the hospitals within that community have had. We look forward to bringing Ascension Saint Thomas' services and clinical programs and capabilities to bring more care close to home for patients."

Tahir did not provide a list of what services Ascension might bring, saying the organization plans to listen to the community and hospital leadership in the coming weeks and months to determine what is most needed.

As part of Ascension's partnership with Lifepoint, tubal ligations and vasectomies for birth control are no longer permitted at the partnership hospitals, Ascension confirmed.

"The facilities will be enriched with the faith-based services provided at other Ascension Saint Thomas facilities, including spiritual care services to patients, families and employees, and will abide by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services," said Ascension spokeswoman Bobette Brown.

Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas already jointly own Ascension Saint Thomas Rehabilitation Hospital in Nashville. As part of the deal, Highpoint hospitals will be branded as Highpoint Health – Sumner, Highpoint Health – Trousdale, and Highpoint Health – Riverview.

About 40% of Tennessee's rural hospitals are at risk of closure, according to The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. Though both companies said this partnership was not based on financial necessity.

"We did this for the communities we serve. We want to make sure that these communities have the best patient care," said William Haugh, division president for Lifepoint. "And when we looked at Ascension Saint Thomas, we really feel like that's our best partner."

Frank Gluck is the health care reporter for The Tennessean. He can be reached at fgluck@tennessean.com. Follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @FrankGluck.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ascension St. Thomas and Lifepoint Health announce joint hospital venture