Chicago-based CommonSpirit has signed a letter of intent to transfer ownership of three additional hospitals to Grand Forks, N.D.-based Altru Health System.
The non-binding agreement includes CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, CHI St. Alexius Health Turtle Lake and CHI St. Alexius Health Garrison (N.D.). If finalized, the move would expand Altru’s footprint further west in North Dakota
On March 1, Altru Health — which currently operates an acute care hospital and specialty hospital — will acquire CHI St. Alexius Health Devils Lake, a 25-bed critical access hospital, from Commonspirit.
“This is a natural next step in exploring how we can continue to support strong, sustainable healthcare for the region,” Tim Bricker, CommonSpirit’s central region president, said in a Jan. 22 news release.
The two health systems will now begin detailed discussions to work toward a definitive agreement, subject to regulatory approval. Both systems will continue to provide uninterrupted care during the transition process.
