NASHVILLE, Tenn., and BATON ROUGE, La., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardent Health Services and Ochsner Clinic Foundation have signed a letter of intent to partner in the ownership of Summit Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 17000 Medical Center Drive.
In the agreement, Ardent and Ochsner will own Summit Hospital in a 50/50 joint venture. Ardent has solely owned the 201-bed hospital since July 2001. Terms of the proposed transaction were not disclosed. Subject to customary closing conditions, it is expected to be completed by Fall 2004.
“We are pleased to bring Ochsner Clinic Foundation back to Summit Hospital,” said David T. Vandewater, President and CEO, Ardent Health Services. “Ochsner physicians will add to the quality medical staff affiliated with Summit Hospital to jointly increase access to health care services for the citizens of Baton Rouge.”
“Ochsner Clinic Foundation is dedicated to meeting our patients’ needs. Partnering with Ardent at Summit Hospital allows Ochsner to bring our care closer to our patients in eastern Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes,” said Patrick J. Quinlan, M.D., CEO, Ochsner Clinic Foundation.
Ardent Health Services is a provider of health care services to communities throughout the United States. Ardent currently owns 27 hospitals in 13 states, providing a full range of medical/surgical, psychiatric and substance abuse services to patients ranging from children to adults.
Ochsner Clinic Foundation Baton Rouge is a regional affiliate of Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans. Founded in 1986, Ochsner Clinic Foundation Baton Rouge is a physician-directed, integrated health care system that provides outpatient medical care and diagnostic services in more than 35 specialty areas with over 85 physicians.
Ardent Health Services; Ochsner Clinic Foundation
CONTACT: Shea Davis of Ardent Health Services, +1-615-296-3240; or AmieeGoforth of Ochsner Clinic Foundation, +1-504-842-4303; or Merri Freeman ofOchsner Clinic Foundation Baton Rouge, +1-225-761-5800