Irving, Texas-based Christus Health has shared plans to sell its former San Antonio-based Christus Santa Rosa Hospital—Medical Center to University Health, also in San Antonio, for $71 million.
The decision comes after a unanimous vote from the Bexar County Hospital District board of managers approved the parties’ plans to enter into a purchase and sale agreement, which would see the hospital ownership transferred to University Health, according to a July 30 news release shared with Becker’s.
The board also approved $20 million for renovations to the hospital as well, a spokesperson for University Health told Becker’s.
In February, Christus shared plans to close the hospital on April 25 and consolidate services to nearby Christus facilities, after an evaluation of its operations and the community’s evolving healthcare needs.
University Health, which is in the middle of a $1.5 billion strategic expansion, said it has the appropriate funds to purchase Christus Santa Rosa and will not require a tax rate increase. The program entails construction of two, five-story hospitals, which are expected to open in early 2027. Two public health and multi-specialty health centers are also included in the program and will open in the fall.
“By having additional inpatient beds and a campus to consolidate the medical center ambulatory physician practice, University Health will free up much-needed additional high-acuity beds,” Edward Banos, president and CEO of University Health, said in a July 30 statement shared with Becker’s. “As we are the level 1 trauma center for pediatric and adult patients and the largest academic medical center in South Texas, the demand for transfers to University Health hit an all-time high in 2024, with 2025 on pace to set another record. This medical center addition will help fill the void made by two community hospital closures in the past few years.”
Over the last five years, Christus has also invested $300 million in ambulatory facilities, hospital expansion and a wider employed-physicians network.
“This transition ensures that the facility continues to meet the needs of area residents with the same spirit of compassion and excellence that Christus is known for,” Ernie Sadau, president and CEO of Christus Health, said in the release.
Editor’s note: This story was updated July 31 at 8:47 a.m. CT.
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