From ChristianaCare and Virtua Health ending merger talks to a Florida State University and the city of Tallahassee reaching an agreement to launch an academic medical center, here are four hospital M&A deals that Becker’s reported during the week of Dec. 15:
1. Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare and Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health on Dec. 18 mutually agreed to end talks regarding a possible merger, stating that “after thoughtful evaluation, both organizations have determined that they can best fulfill their missions to serve their communities by continuing to operate independently.”
In July, ChristianaCare and Virtua signed a nonbinding letter of intent to form a regional nonprofit system. Together the system would have spanned 10 counties across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, employed nearly 30,000 people and generated more than $6 billion in annual revenue.
2. Grand Forks, N.D.-based Altru Health System will assume ownership of CHI St. Alexius Health Devils Lake (N.D.) — a 25-bed critical access hospital — from Chicago-based CommonSpirit, with the transition set to take place March 1, 2026.
The move aims to strengthen long-term access to care in the Lake Region by uniting hospital and clinic services under a single health system, according to a joint announcement Dec. 17.
3. Tallahassee-based Florida State University and the City of Tallahassee on Dec. 16 agreed on a proposed memorandum of understanding that sets the stage for a transformative shift in healthcare delivery in North Florida: converting a city‑owned hospital into a full academic medical center under the FSU Health umbrella.
The City Commission is set to vote on the MOU at its Jan. 14 meeting. Under the proposed agreement between the university and city officials, all city‑owned hospital assets currently leased to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare would ultimately transfer to FSU, paving the way for integration with FSU Health.
4. Terre Haute-based Union Hospital and Terre Haute Regional Hospital, part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, finalized their merger Dec. 13 following a lengthy process.
The news comes after the Indiana Department of Health approved a certificate of public advantage in early November 2025. Union Health withdrew an earlier COPA application in November 2024 just days before a state ruling on the transaction and submitted a new application for the 278-bed hospital in February. As part of the merger, Union Health has committed at least $117 million in investments, expanded services and the recruitment of more than 30 providers.
