Jennie Stuart Health officially joins Deaconess system

Jennie Stuart Health in Hopkinsville officially became part of the Deaconess Health System on Wednesday, one year after the acquisition was first announced.

The directors of Jennie Stuart Health signed a letter of intent last September to join Evansville-based Deaconess. The transaction was expected to be completed before the end of 2024, but concerned local residents challenged the merger. The "Save Jennie Stuart" movement drew large crowds at public meetings. 

A definitive agreement was reached earlier this year, following a lawsuit by the citizens group that was later dropped.

CEO Eric Lee said in a media release Wednesday that Jennie Stuart Health will keep its name and culture, and will retain all active employees while maintaining salaries, wages, and benefits. 

Deaconess committed to investing at least $95 million into Jennie Stuart Health, and agreed to pledge more money to the Jennie Stuart Foundation.

Deaconess also laid out terms for a Jennie Stuart Board of Trustees that will consist of 12 trustees in addition to three Deaconess-appointed people who will retain influence over Jennie Stuart’s local operations and financial decisions.

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.

Jennie Stuart Health is a private, not-for-profit community hospital licensed for 194 beds.