(Ontario, Calif., February 1, 2016) – Prime Healthcare continues its mission of saving and improving hospitals throughout the country, announcing today that it has completed the acquisition of Lehigh Regional Medical Center in Florida, Southern Regional Medical Center in Georgia, Suburban Community Hospital (formerly Mercy Suburban Hospital) in Pennsylvania and River Valley Health Partners in Ohio. With the addition of these four facilities and affiliated entities, Prime Healthcare now comprises 42 hospitals in 14 states with nearly 42,000 employees and physicians.
Prime Healthcare has committed more than $80 million in capital improvements in the four newly acquired facilities over the next five years. “Prime Healthcare believes that quality health care should be part of every community, and it is our privilege to collaborate with the physicians, nurses and employees at these facilities to ensure the best care for the patients they serve,” said Prem Reddy, MD, FACC, FCCP, Chairman, President and CEO of Prime Healthcare Services. “Prime Healthcare hospitals are consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the nation, and we have no doubt that these facilities will continue that legacy.”
In recognition of Prime Healthcare’s growth and success, the health care organization was named “The Fastest Growing Health System” in the country in 2015 by Modern Healthcare. Prime Healthcare acquires financially distressed hospitals and transforms them into thriving community assets. Prime Healthcare has never closed or sold a hospital and its hospitals are nationally recognized for clinical excellence and patient safety.
Last week, it was announced that Prime Healthcare received $700 million in financing from Wells Fargo Bank and Barclays Bank that will be used to strengthen the organization and fund acquisitions, leading to continued growth while serving the mission of Prime Healthcare to save hospitals, save jobs and save lives.
Southern Regional Medical Center, River Valley Health Partners and Suburban Community Hospital are being purchased by the Prime Healthcare Foundation and will remain not-for-profit facilities. The Prime Healthcare Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity with $700 million in assets, all donated by Dr. Prem Reddy and his family. The Foundation is dedicated to improving access to healthcare and increasing educational opportunities in healthcare, and has donated millions of dollars to support free community clinics, nonprofit organizations, scholarships and academic programs.
Southern Regional Medical Center is a full-service, 331-bed hospital in Riverdale, GA that operates a Certified Primary Stroke Center, an accredited Chest Pain Center, and one of the busiest Emergency Departments in the region, seeing nearly 74,000 patients a year. Also included in the acquisition is Spivey Station, an ambulatory care center in Jonesboro, GA.
River Valley Health Partners (RVHP) is comprised of East Liverpool City Hospital, a 152-bed acute care hospital; River Valley Physicians, LLC, comprised of eight primary care and specialty offices; and Ohio Valley Home Health Services, Inc. RVHP serves a population of more than 115,000 in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. East Liverpool City Hospital was recently recognized as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission.
Suburban Community Hospital (formerly Mercy Suburban Hospital), a 153-bed acute care hospital in East Norriton, PA, has consistently earned accolades for quality care, including recognition as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission. The hospital is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and has been recognized for its heart and stroke care. Suburban Community Hospital will serve the community through its 30- room Emergency Department and other key services, including bariatrics, cancer care and cardiac rehabilitation.
Lehigh Regional Medical Center, located in Lehigh Acres, FL, will remain for-profit as a member of Prime Healthcare Services. Lehigh Regional, an 88-bed facility, has been recognized as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission. The hospital serves Lehigh Acres and surrounding areas with a 12-bed emergency services department and other key service lines, including orthopedics and cardiology.
“We are confident that these new members of the Prime Healthcare family of hospitals will maintain high standards for quality care that are sustainable for the long term,” said Luis Leon, President of Operations, Division II for Prime Healthcare. “Being part of a large health system allows patients to have access to the highest quality of care and services, and we are excited to be able to provide this to our new communities in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.”