Transactions & Valuation Issues

The following hospital mergers and acquisitions took place within the past week, beginning with the most recent.

New River Medical Center in Monticello, Minn., has selected CentraCare Health System in St. Cloud, Minn., as its affiliation partner, according to a Monticello Times report.

Hackettstown (N.J.) Regional Medical Center has three bids from healthcare organizations for strategic affiliations, according to a Lehigh Valley Express-Times report.

Mecosta County Medical Center in Big Rapids, Mich., has received approval from Mecosta County commissioners to merge with Spectrum Health System, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., according to a Big Rapids News report.

Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems has received permission from its lenders for an amendment to an existing credit agreement that was made in July 2007.

Baxter International is close to acquiring Gambro AB for about $4 billion, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.

Michael E. Staunton has more than 27 years of experience in valuation and currently works with Principle Valuation. He previously served as a senior manager, valuation counselor at CBIZ Valuation Group.

Garden City (Mich.) Hospital may be exploring a sale or affiliation, according to a Crain's Detroit Business report.

University of Pittsburgh (Pa.) Medical Center is expected to enter negotiations to acquire Altoona (Pa.) Regional Health System, according to a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report.

Community members, physicians and even national observers are raising concerns over Louisville, Ky.-based University Hospital's new partnership with KentuckyOne Health, also based in Louisville, according to a Courier-Journal report.