Intermountain Healthcare and Sanford Health announce intent to merge

Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah, seen on Feb. 13, 2020. | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Intermountain Healthcare and Sanford Health, one of the nation’s leading systems in rural health care delivery and clinical research, have signed a letter of intent to develop a strategic partnership.

“Intermountain and Sanford have a shared vision of the future of healthcare and have the aligned values needed to better serve more communities across the nation,” Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare, said in a press release. “This merger enables our organizations to move more quickly to further implement value-based strategies and realize economies of scale. Through coordinated care, increased use of telehealth and digital health services, we will make healthcare more affordable for our communities.”

Kelby Krabbenhoft, president and CEO of Sanford Health, said the organization has been focused on growth, driving innovation, and bringing more affordable and accessible healthcare to the community.

“Today we’re marking another major milestone in our long history of working to change the course of healthcare across the globe. By coming together with Intermountain Healthcare, we will improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve and strengthen our impact in healthcare delivery and value.”

The boards of both not-for-profit organizations approved a resolution to support moving forward with the due diligence process. The organizations will enter this activity with the goal to sign a merger agreement that will bring both health systems together as a model for improving access to high-value healthcare across the U.S. The merger is expected to close in 2021 pending federal and state approvals.

Sanford Health hospital in Aberdeen, South Dakota, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the Sanford Health Facebook page, St. George News

The combined organization will employ more than 89,000 people and operate 70 hospitals, many in rural communities. It will operate 435 clinics across seven states, provide senior care in 233 locations in 24 states, and insure 1.1 million people. The organization will have headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, and corporate offices in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Harrison will be president and CEO of the combined organization, while Krabbenhoft will serve as president emeritus. Both organizations will continue to operate under their current names for the foreseeable future.

The existing board of trustees from both systems will join to form a combined board. A new executive committee of the board will be created with equal representation from members of the Intermountain and Sanford Health boards. Gail Miller, current chair of the Intermountain Board, will serve as board chair for the merged organization.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2020, all rights reserved.

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