Ardent Health President and CEO Marty Bonick said the for-profit system is optimistic about M&A opportunities, but “we are being very conservative and prudent in terms of where we’re going into.”
“Given the macro uncertainties in healthcare, we want to make sure that as we look for new target opportunities, they either complement our existing markets or are new markets that we feel that we can go in and make a difference in terms of having the right growth characteristics,” Mr. Bonick said on Brentwood, Tenn.-based Ardent’s May 6 earnings call.
Ardent operates 30 hospitals in six states: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, New Jersey, Idaho and Kansas.
“Our markets are growing better than the average U.S. rates,” he said. “We’re looking for markets we can enter with those similar characteristics, and we do believe they’re out there.”
Mr. Bonick said the system is exploring both joint venture opportunities and outright acquisitions.
“The pipeline still looks strong, and we’re making sure that any potential M&A that we do is going to be accretive to the organization,” he said.
Ardent targets outpatient expansion
Ardent is also focused on expanding its outpatient footprint in its core markets. During the first quarter of 2026, the system opened four urgent care centers across its Texas, New Mexico and Idaho markets.
In the remainder of 2026, Ardent expects to open two ASCs, one freestanding ED and one urgent care facility.
“Once fully ramped, these assets should drive incremental volumes,” Mr. Bonick said.
Ardent recorded a net income of $39.9 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to a net income of $41.4 million during the same period last year.
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