Wichita, Kan.-based Ascension Via Christi acquired Rock Regional Hospital, a shuttered Derby, Kan.-based facility, June 26.
Newly renamed Ascension Via Christi St. Peter, the hospital closed its doors in early January after a federal judge approved its eviction process amid ongoing legal disputes over unpaid rent. Ascension Via Christi then signed a letter of intent in early March to purchase the facility.
Ascension Via Christi plans to open the 90,000-square-foot facility to patients in summer 2027 to ensure it meets clinical quality and safety standards, according to a June 26 news release shared with Becker’s.
In the next few months, Ascension Via Christi’s teams will work to update the facility, transition medical equipment and integrate its infrastructure into the Via Christi network. Human resources teams will also launch workforce planning efforts in late 2026 to explore employment opportunities and prioritize rehiring qualified former employees, as appropriate.
“Access to care close to home is essential for healthy communities,” Christopher Dodson, chief strategy officer for Via Christi, said in the release. “By finalizing this acquisition, we are taking a definitive step toward restoring vital healthcare services in Derby with the intent that this facility can once again serve patients and families for years to come. While there is more work ahead, we are encouraged by the opportunity to reestablish care in a way that is sustainable and responsive to community needs.”
Ascension Via Christi, part of St. Louis-based Ascension, comprises six hospitals, 75 care sites and more than 5,650 employees, the release said.
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