Houston Healthcare and Emory Healthcare Sign LOI for Potential Affiliation; Expected to Finalize in 2025
Houston Healthcare and Emory Healthcare have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) for Houston Healthcare to join Emory Healthcare. This LOI marks the beginning of a due diligence process to explore the potential affiliation, with an anticipated signing of a definitive agreement and closing of the transaction in 2025, pending regulatory reviews and satisfaction of closing conditions.
Joon S. Lee, MD, CEO of Emory Healthcare, stated, “We are excited about the potential of this new relationship with Houston Healthcare, as it will expand our ability to provide high-quality care and services to communities beyond Atlanta, while broadening our geographic footprint in Georgia.” Charles G. Briscoe, FACHE, president and CEO of Houston Healthcare, added, “Houston Healthcare has served its community well for more than 60 years, and we look forward to continuing and strengthening our high-quality, patient-focused service and care through this new affiliation with Emory Healthcare.”
Ivan Allen, EdD, chair of Houston Healthcare System, Inc., noted, “Looking toward the future, the Boards of Directors and leadership determined that joining a larger, high-performing hospital was a necessary next step to continue Houston Healthcare’s legacy of quality care while increasing operating efficiencies and growth.” Tommy Stalnaker, chair of Houston Hospitals, Inc., said, “I’m very proud of what Houston Healthcare has accomplished and provided for our community as an independent health system since 1960. With Emory Healthcare’s combined expertise and resources, we will be even better able to serve the needs of our patients and community for years to come.”
Houston Healthcare, based in Warner Robins, GA, operates two hospital campuses with a combined 282 beds, five outpatient facilities, and nine physician practices. It employs 2,500 staff and 200 physicians, serving over 300,000 patients annually. Emory Healthcare, headquartered in Atlanta, has nearly 24,000 employees, 11 hospitals, and 2,796 licensed patient beds. It provides services through a joint venture in Columbus, six regional affiliate hospitals, and a clinically integrated physician network.
