Transactions & Valuation Issues

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

Monterey County officials and trustees of Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, Calif., have agreed to pursue a merger between Natividad and Salinas (Calif.) Valley Memorial Hospital, according to a Contra Costa Times report.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has scheduled a public hearing for the reorganization of health insurer Highmark for April 17, according to a Pittsburgh Business Times report.

San Antonio-based University Health System has formally ended discussions with Irving, Texas-based Christus Health about building a freestanding children's hospital, according to a San Antonio Business Journal report.

Mayo Clinic Jacksonville (Fla.) announced it has acquired Satilla Health Services, based in Waycross, Ga., effective March 1, and the health system will now be named Mayo Clinic Health System in Waycross.

The boards of Lowell (Mass.) General Hospital and Saints Medical Center, also in Lowell, have approved a definitive agreement that will lead to a merger of the two organizations.

Pike Community Hospital, a critical access facility in Waverly, Ohio, has completed its merger with Adena Health System in Chillicothe, Ohio, according to a Chillicothe Gazette report.

Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan Health System and Novi, Mich.-based Trinity Health have announced the signing of an affiliation agreement.

After suffering $16 million in losses, Highline Medical Center in Burien, Wash., is considering potential partners for a strategic partnership, according to a Highline Times report.

Community Health Systems in Franklin, Tenn., has announced its acquisition of MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island, Ill.