Lifepoint Health, Ascension Saint Thomas form joint venture to own Tennessee hospital system

Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas have formed their second joint venture, and this one involves co-ownership of a hospital system in Tennessee.

Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas will both have joint ownership of Highpoint Health System, which operates four hospitals and other healthcare locations. (Image: Lifepoint)

The two organizations will both have joint ownership of Highpoint Health System, which operates four hospitals and other healthcare locations. Lifepoint, based in Brentwood, Tenn., had been operating Highpoint. Lifepoint and Ascension Saint Thomas made the announcement Friday.

Under the new joint venture, Lifepoint will retain majority ownership of Highpoint and operate the hospitals, but they will be co-branded with Ascension Saint Thomas.

The leadership teams at the hospitals will remain and “no significant changes are anticipated for employees,” the systems said in a news release.

Highpoint’s flagship hospital is Sumner Regional Medical Center, a 155-bed facility located in Gallatin, Tenn. Highpoint also includes Livingston Regional Hospital, a 114-bed acute care hospital in Livingston, Tenn., and two, 25-bed critical access hospitals.

The hospitals will take on the names of Highpoint Health.

David Dill, chairman and chief executive officer of Lifepoint Health, said the move will have benefits for communities in middle Tennessee.

“We have long respected Ascension Saint Thomas for its commitment to excellent quality, innovation, and partnership in improving the lives of patients,” Dill said in a statement. “By working together, we can do even more to advance the health and well-being of our friends and neighbors here.”

This is the second joint venture for Lifepoint and Ascension Saint Thomas. They jointly own Ascension Saint Thomas Rehabilitation Hospital in Nashville.

Fahad Tahir, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas, called Lifepoint “a strong and trusted partner.”

“The positive impact we can make together to build and expand our clinical programs will have a multiplying effect for the health of our region and the communities we serve,” Tahir said in a statement.

Rod Harkleroad, market president of Highpoint Health and CEO of Highpoint Health-Sumner, said the venture will allow for the expansion of services.

“We are proud of all we have accomplished here in Gallatin and beyond, and we know we can do even more by working with an outstanding partner like Ascension Saint Thomas,” Harkleroad said in a statement. “We are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves together to tackle some of the most pressing healthcare issues we face in this region, including growing our specialist base and services.”

Ascension Saint Thomas, part of the large Ascension health system, operates 13 hospitals and other care sites in Tennessee.

Lifepoint is owned by Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm based in New York City.

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