Joplin, Mo.-based Freeman Health System said Monday (June 1) that it has completed the acquisition of Springdale-based Northwest Health, a subsidiary of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems Inc. The purchase price was $110 million.
The transaction included substantially all the assets of 128-bed Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville, 222-bed Northwest Medical Center – Springdale, 64-bed Willow Creek Women’s Hospital in Johnson, and 73-bed Siloam Springs Regional Hospital, and associated outpatient centers and practices. About 2,200 employees joined the company in the deal.
According to county records, an affiliate of Freeman Health System paid $74.39 million for the hospital properties and assumed a ground lease with the city of Siloam Springs with a term that runs until Jan. 31, 2059. The seller and lease assignor were affiliates of Community Health Systems.
“Welcoming Northwest Health into the Freeman network supports our commitment to long-term growth and enhances our ability to provide compassionate, coordinated care across a broader regional footprint,” said Matthew Fry, president and CEO of Freeman Health System. “Northwest Health’s hospitals and care teams bring tremendous strength to our organization, and together, we’re elevating care delivery, expanding access to essential services, and investing in the health of the people and communities who rely on us every day.”
Freeman Health System and Community Health Systems previously announced the deal on March 5. This is Freeman Health System’s first expansion into Arkansas.
“As one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., Northwest Arkansas sits at the center of powerful economic forces, with leading retail, food, and logistics companies driving sustained population growth,” Fry said. “We owe it to these communities – both new and longtime residents – to ensure access to high-quality healthcare that keeps pace with growth and reflects the care people expect and deserve.”
The link to the former Northwest Health website redirects visitors to the Freeman Health website for Northwest Arkansas.
Following are the Northwest Arkansas hospitals operated by Freeman Health: Freeman Health System – Bentonville Medical Center at 3000 Medical Center Parkway in Bentonville, Freeman Health System – Springdale Medical Center at 609 W. Maple Ave. in Springdale, Freeman Health System – Siloam Springs Medical Center at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs and Freeman Health System – Willow Creek Medical Center at 4301 Greathouse Springs Road in Johnson.
Following are the standalone emergency departments operated by Freeman Health: Freeman Health System Emergency Department Fayetteville at 1255 S. Shiloh Drive in Fayetteville and Freeman Health System Emergency Department West Bentonville at 1580 E. Centerton Blvd. in Bentonville.
The health system also operates a walk-in clinic, Freeman Walk-In Care, at 3721 U.S. Highway 412 East in Siloam Springs and other locations such as the Freeman Health System Diagnostic Sleep Center at 609 W. Maple Ave. in Springdale; the Freeman Health System Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center – Bentonville at 2900 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 140, in Bentonville; the Freeman Rehab and Wellness – Bentonville at 2805 S.E. Mid-Cities Drive in Bentonville; and the Freeman Rehab and Wellness – Springdale at 4077 Elm Springs Road, Suite 100, in Springdale.
According to a news release, the integration of the staff of Northwest Health and Freeman Health System continues, and there will be no changes to the insurance plans accepted at the facilities or practices.
Following are some of the long-term goals for the newly expanded system: Addressing a growing need for behavioral healthcare in Northwest Arkansas by expanding mental health and substance use services; Empowering area teams to enhance care delivery and sustain community-focused services; Increasing access to maternal care; Expanding specialty care services, including cardiology, oncology and orthopedics; and, Strengthening recruitment and retention efforts to educate, train and hire the next generation of providers.
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