After months of controversy, Jennie Stuart Health will become part of Deaconess system

After months of public opposition and negotiation, Jennie Stuart Health in Hopkinsville has announced a definitive agreement to join Deaconess Health Kentucky.

Jennie Stuart's board had signed a letter of intent to join the Evansville-based health system last September, but concerned citizens challenged the merger. The "Save Jennie Stuart" movement drew large crowds of citizens at public meetings. 

In December, the hospital board and the citizen group reached a compromise that no signing with Deaconess would take place before March 31.

Due to Save Jennie Stuart’s efforts, Deaconess offered a deal with more favorable terms for the community, which the Jennie Stuart board supported and accepted on February 26.

This past Monday, Save Jennie Stuart, Inc. dropped its lawsuit against the board.

A hospital spokesman told WKDZ the partnership promises to enhance the quality of care for the community while committing a substantial investment of at least $95 million in the hospital.

Under the terms of the agreement, Deaconess will fully fund Jennie Stuart's transition to its electronic health records platform. It will retain all active employees with maintained salaries, and it will maintain and expand  current service, including bringing more specialists to Hopkinsville.

The transaction is expected to close by August 1st.

Deaconess is a private nonprofit hospital system with facilities in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. It owns or provides management services to 23 affiliated hospitals, including Evansville and Newburgh, Indiana; Henderson, Madisonville and Salem, Kentucky; and Mt. Vernon, Marion, Anna and Eldorado, Illinois. It also operates 12 urgent care centers, 46 clinics and 31 outpatient centers.

In 2022, Deaconess reported total revenue of $1.24 billion.



source and photo:  WKDZ