Mergers and Acquisitions: An Overview of Notable Healthcare M&A Activity in 2025

Northwell Health and Nuvance Health

In May, nonprofit health systems Northwell Health and Nuvance Health announced the completion of their merger, forming a new integrated regional health system serving patients in New York and Connecticut. The combined system has an operating budget of $22.6 billion and a staff of 104,000 people, including 22,000 nurses and 13,500 providers across 28 hospitals and other ambulatory and urgent care locations.

As part of the deal, Northwell will invest at least $1 billion into Nuvance.

Summa Health

In June, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost conditionally approved General Catalyst’s purchase of Summa Health, based in Akron, Ohio, contingent on 10 conditions being met.

The venture capitalist firm, a subsidiary of Health Assurance Transformation (HATCo) first announced its planned acquisition of the health system in January 2024. In November, General Catalyst provided more details, outlining a purchase price of $485 million.

“The purchase price of $485 million, when added to Summa Health’s current cash, will enable the health system to eliminate $850 million in existing debt. The remaining cash, after closing adjustments, will fund a new, separately governed community foundation that will support focused investment to benefit community health in the Greater Akron region,” a press release stated.

The approval conditions include a requirement that a majority of the foundation’s board members have no affiliation with Summa Health, the foundation will agree not to sell its $15 million equity interest for at least three years after the closing and cooperation with the attorney general’s office over the next 10 years to enforce HATCo’s obligations to the health system.

Beacon Health System and Ascension Healthcare System

In early April, Beacon Health System, which has locations in Indiana and Michigan, announced its plans to acquire Ascension healthcare system in Michigan. The deal includes Ascension’s network of four hospitals, several outpatient clinics and an ambulatory surgery center.

“Expanding our reach deeper into southwest Michigan broadens access to high-quality, affordable care for communities served by Ascension, extends our service area and provides growth opportunity to further strengthen the health system,” said Kreg Gruber, Beacon Health System CEO, in a statement. “This acquisition will create a bright future for these communities by ensuring access to quality healthcare services for generations.

EXPLORE: Here are three tips for healthcare IT teams on navigating due diligence.

Hudson Regional Health

CarePoint Health System’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan was approved in April, paving the way for the creation of Hudson Regional Health, a new health system in Secaucus, N.J., created from CarePoint’s former hospital properties: Hudson Regional Hospital, Christ Hospital, Hoboken University Medical Center and Bayonne Medical Center, according to an announcement.

Yan Moshe, chairman of the new health system, provided $120 million in funding to upgrade the locations.

“The bankruptcy process played a crucial role in restructuring the hospitals and achieving our client’s ultimate objective of ensuring the long-term financial viability of the hospitals; based on Mr. Moshe and [CEO] Dr. [Nizar] Kifaieh’s keen vision, we crafted a successful plan for the hospitals that secured the votes of the major creditors and constituents and was ultimately approved by the court,” said Hudson Regional attorney Mohamed Nabulsi in the statement.

Emory Healthcare and Houston Healthcare

Houston Healthcare, which has locations in Warner Robins, Ga., and Perry, Ga., joined the Emory Healthcare system on June 1 after receiving approval from the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, according to a press release. The organizations announced the deal in August 2024.

Houston Healthcare has two hospitals with 282 total beds and several outpatient facilities and physician practices.

Doylestown Health and University of Pennsylvania Health System

Following approval from the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission, Doylestown Health joined the University of Pennsylvania Health System on April 1, according to an announcement. The 245-bed community teaching hospital has been renamed Penn Medicine Doylestown Health. It is Penn Medicine’s seventh hospital.

University of Mississippi Medical Center and Merit Health Madison

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is expanding with the recent acquisition of Merit Health Madison, now operating as UMMC Madison. The hospital, based in Canton, Miss., has 67 licensed beds.

“We’ve been staffing the emergency department for some time now, but operational challenges, such as having different electronic medical record systems, highlighted the need for a more unified approach. Acquiring the hospital allows us to overcome those hurdles and expand our capacity to care for patients,” said Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC, in a statement.

DISCOVER: Tackle data integration successfully during a healthcare merger or acquisition.

Duke Health and Lake Norman Regional Medical Center

Duke Health completed its acquisition of Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and assumed operations on April 1. The hospital, located in Mooresville, N.C., is now known as Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital.

The acquisition of the 123-bed hospital totaled $284 million. The health system plans to integrate Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital’s electronic medical record into the Duke Health system.

“From clinical quality and safety to operational excellence and strategic planning – we have a legacy of delivering the best care to the communities we serve. We look forward to building a new foundation of excellence in Lake Norman,” said Craig Albanese, CEO of Duke University Health System, in a statement.

North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health

Two Missouri-based healthcare organizations have united under one brand: North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health became NKC Health in June.

“Through thoughtful research, we developed a new brand that better represents us as one system and empowers patients to easily recognize that whether in the hospital or at the clinics, they’re cared for by the same trusted team,” said Kristen Guillaume, vice president and chief digital and information officer of NKC Health, in a press release.

Regional Medical Center and Santa Clara Valley Healthcare

The County of Santa Clara kicked off April with the $150 million acquisition of Regional Medical Center in San José, Calif. The 258-bed hospital is now operated by Santa Clara Valley Healthcare. The county has reinstated the hospital’s Level II trauma center status and brought back stroke and STEMI care. It plans to bring back labor and delivery care in the future.

“This community — rich in culture and resilience — has long faced disparities in access to trauma care, stroke response, and maternal health. By bringing RMC into the County system, we are restoring and expanding vital services where they are needed most. This is more than a hospital — it’s a commitment to equity, dignity, and health justice for our most vulnerable residents,” said Sylvia Arenas, District 1 supervisor for Santa Clara County, in a press release.

Baptist Memorial Health Care and Arkansas Methodist Medical Center

In April, Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis, Tenn., and Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould, Ark., signed a letter of intent to merge. They expect to finalize an agreement by early 2026.

“Arkansas Methodist Medical Center has similar values to Baptist Memorial Health Care and an excellent reputation in the community. By combining our organizations, we can expand the reach of sustainable and quality health care in the region while creating a strong organization with the size, scale, technology and intellectual capital to expand access to care while weathering future challenges,” said Jason Little, president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care, in a statement.

RELATED: Find out how one health system integrated its IT operations following a merger.

Atlantic General Hospital and TidalHealth

In May, two Maryland-based healthcare providers announced their intent to merge. Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Md., will merge with TidalHealth, based in Salisbury, Md., under the TidalHealth name. As part of the transition, Atlantic General’s electronic health record will be converted to Epic in order to “enhance coordination and access for patients,” according to the announcement.

“Healthcare systems are more frequently coming together to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving environment. We are proud to now have officially partnered with an organization that has very similar philosophies and beliefs, and together we will be working throughout the region to improve health and wellness across the continuum of care,” said Steve Leonard, president and CEO of TidalHealth in a press release.

UnityPoint Health and MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center

UnityPoint Health, a nonprofit health system with locations in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, announced in May that it plans to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The acquisition would include the medical center, its medical group and home care services. It is expected to be completed this summer.

TriHealth and Clinton Memorial Hospital

TriHealth, a health system in Cincinnati, recently announced plans to acquire Clinton Memorial Hospital in Wilmington, Ohio. CMH will be TriHealth’s sixth acute care hospital.

“Bringing CMH into the TriHealth system is an exciting next step in this partnership as it will enable us to collaborate more closely with local physicians to extend TriHealth’s nationally recognized service lines, innovative population health care models, and world class specialists to Clinton County, all to serve more patients, better in the local community while creating seamless access to the most advanced tertiary care when needed,” said TriHealth President and CEO Mark C. Clement in a statement.

Firelands Health and The Bellevue Hospital

Firelands Health, based in Sandusky, Ohio, officially took over control of The Bellevue Hospital, based in Bellevue, Ohio, in May. The Bellevue Hospital filed for Chapter 11 restructuring in early February due to rising operational costs, regulatory complexity and funding constraints, according to a press release.

Firelands Health has pledged capital investments in the hospital to maintain its services and ensure continuity of care, according to a press release announcing the new ownership.

DIVE DEEPER: An early IT integration vision leads to M&A success in healthcare.

Pender Community Hospital and Bryan Health

Two Nebraska-based hospitals announced an affiliation agreement in June. Pender Community Hospital and Bryan Health hope to strengthen healthcare access and quality for rural communities in the state.

“Rural areas of our Midwest and state face unique healthcare challenges that require dedication, partnerships, and creativity,” said Pat Ganyo, vice president of Bryan Health System, in a press release. “Through our decades of providing care and outreach throughout all corners of Nebraska, Bryan Health understands that one size does not fit all and each community or region has its own unique challenges and opportunities. We are honored Pender Community Hospital selected and trusts Bryan Health to assist in providing operational support, outreach and serving their patients in Northeast Nebraska.”

Through PCH’s affiliation with Bryan Health, it will have access to new training and development opportunities for clinicians and support staff.

Howard University and Adventist HealthCare

In early June, Adventist HealthCare announced that discussions regarding its acquisition of Howard University Hospital (HUH) in Washington, D.C., have ended and the management services agreement between the two organizations, which will be phased out by February 2026.

“The collaboration between Howard University and Adventist HealthCare over the past five years has resulted in a number of significant achievements and continued to build upon Howard University Hospital’s legacy of delivering excellent care to our community and leadership in education and research,” said Howard University President Ben Vinson III in a statement. “While Howard and Adventist have mutually agreed to discontinue Adventist’s management of the Hospital and Faculty Practice Plan, the University will continue efforts to secure a future partnership.”

Howard University will take over operations at HUH, which the organization doesn’t expect to impact patient care.

OHSU and Legacy Health

Oregon Health & Science University, an academic medical center, and Legacy Health, a nonprofit health system, called off their merger plans in May, nearly two years after announcing their intent to integrate.

“After careful consideration of the evolving operating environment, the organizations have determined that the best way to meet the needs of the communities they serve is to move forward as individual organizations,” reads a statement about the transaction’s termination.

Phelps Health and Salem Memorial Hospital

Two Missouri-based organizations have ended discussions about a possible affiliation. Phelps Health in Rolla, Mo., and Salem Memorial District Hospital in Salem, Mo., announced a possible affiliation in August 2024.

In late March 2025, the organizations announced that they had completed the due diligence phase and would be looking for a way forward. However, an article from The Salem News in June reported the health systems ended their affiliation discussions despite extensive efforts to make the partnership feasible, including seeking federal and state funding for capital investments.

“Despite expressing strong support for rural healthcare and funding this project, the state government did not pass a budget with this appropriation included,” the article notes.

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Here is some of the notable M&A activity that occurred among healthcare providers in Q1 2025:

Sanford Health and Marshfield Clinic

In January, Sanford Health, a large rural health system based in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Marshfield Clinic Health System, an integrated health system with locations in rural Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, completed their merger. The move was first announced in July 2024.

The nonprofit integrated health system will now operate as Sanford Health, with MCHS becoming a region of the larger organization. It will maintain its branding within the region.

“Together, we will reimagine the future of local, patient-centered nonprofit health care by expanding services, enhancing access and harnessing innovative technologies to improve the health of our communities,” said Sanford Health President and CEO Bill Gassen in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome 13,000 new employees from Marshfield Clinic Health System to our Sanford family and look forward to embracing all of the new possibilities that lie ahead.”

According to Marshfield News Herald, Sanford intends to invest $500 million into the Marshfield region over the next five years. Part of this investment includes plans to migrate MCHS’s electronic health records to Epic.

This deal follows years of efforts from both parties to integrate with other organizations. Essentia Health and MCHS held discussions for two years before canceling integration plans in January 2024. Before that, MCHS ended talks with Gundersen Health System in 2019. Sanford had previously announced that merger plans fell through with UnityPoint Health in 2019 and Intermountain Healthcare in 2020.

UnitedHealth Group and Amedisys

In response to the Department of Justice’s November 2024 statement that it intends to block UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion acquisition of home health and hospice provider Amedisys due to antitrust concerns, UHG filed an answer to the complaint rebutting the DOJ’s challenge.

The DOJ’s suit stated that UHG’s original plan to divest assets in hundreds of markets to VitalCaring Group did not resolve its concerns about competition.

In UHG’s response, filed in February, the company proposes to divest a minimum of 128 home health and hospice facilities. As a result, “UHG will operate just 10% of total home health services in the United States and 4% of hospice services in the United States. UHG will continue to compete with over 11,000 home health agencies and over 5,000 hospice agencies across the country, and post-transaction, payment structures and referral patterns will continue as they do today — incentivizing UHG to maintain high clinical and service quality across its entire footprint and to grow through quality incentive payments and increased referrals.”

UHG also argues that the DOJ’s antitrust claims ignore its proposed divestiture package entirely.

This move followed UHG’s abandonment of a motion to dismiss the DOJ’s suit, filed on January 10.

READ MORE: These tips can help healthcare CIOs navigate IT integration during M&As.

Prime Healthcare and Ascension Illinois

In March, eight Ascension Illinois hospitals joined Prime Healthcare, a for-profit health system with 51 hospitals across 14 states. The cost of the sale totaled $375 million.

The group of hospitals, consisting of four senior living and four post-acute care sites, includes Holy Family Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, Resurrection Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Joseph Medical Center, Saint Joseph Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital.

Prime Healthcare plans to invest $250 million in facility, technology and system upgrades.

Earlier in the year, the Prime Healthcare Foundation announced that it will become the sole corporate member and parent company of Central Maine Healthcare, which includes seven larger entities and 40 physician practices. Each entity will retain its branding and leadership.

OSF HealthCare and Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital

Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Ill., joined OSF HealthCare, an integrated health system with 17 hospitals across Illinois and Michigan, January 1 as OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center. The deal was first announced in spring 2024.

The 80-bed acute care hospital has six clinic locations. According to a press release, the hospital will offer OSF MyChart integrated with Epic.

University of Minnesota and Essentia Health

A bump in the road has appeared for the University of Minnesota and Essentia Health in their efforts to merge and create an all-Minnesota healthcare solution. As a result, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has stepped in to get negotiations back on track.

University of Minnesota and Fairview Health System have agreements in place that will expire at the end of 2026. The university said in a recent statement that the end of the partnership leaves “the future of the University of Minnesota Medical School and the University’s ability to train physicians and other healthcare providers at risk.”

KIMT3 News reported that Fairview is not interested in the University of Minnesota’s proposed $1 billion deal with Essentia.

“Fairview is a valued and important partner, but without their full engagement and investment, our mission as a university and a practice will be negatively impacted for decades,” said Bevan Yueh, vice dean for clinical affairs and CEO of University of Minnesota Physicians, in a university press release.

As talks have stalled, Attorney General Ellison announced that his office will select a strategic facilitator to move negotiations forward.

“Given the current status of the talks, the time pressure, and the importance of the public interest in getting this right, my office is taking a more active role,” Ellison said in a release. “The parties have tried to find a resolution in the past, and I commend their efforts; these are complicated matters, however. Importantly, the parties recognize the importance of these negotiations to the public interest, and they welcome the chance for a fresh start. I am working with the parties to identify a strategic facilitator to aid the parties in finding a resolution and to prioritize the public interest in the parties’ negotiations.”

Masonicare and United Methodist Homes

Masonicare rang in the new year by merging with United Methodist Homes and acquiring Atria Greenridge Place. United Methodist Homes will now exist under the Masonicare brand.

“By uniting under the Masonicare name, we strengthen our commitment to accessible, high-quality care for Connecticut seniors, leveraging the combined resources and expertise of two mission-driven organizations,” said Jon-Paul Venoit, president and CEO of Masonicare, in a press release about the deals.

Pennant Group and Signature Healthcare at Home

The Pennant Group, the parent company of a group of home health, hospice and senior living organizations, purchased Oregon assets from Signature Healthcare at Home in January, including seven locations across the state. This follows the company’s purchase of Idaho and Washington assets from Signature in August 2024.

Arnot Health and Cayuga Health

The two New York-based organizations announced their new affiliation at the beginning of the year. Arnot Health and Cayuga Health will now operate as Centralus Health. The health system began rolling out the Epic electronic health record system across its locations in March. It also plans to offer Epic’s MyChart patient portal.

“Together, we are strengthening our ability to offer a wider array of services, reach underserved populations, and invest in the future of healthcare delivery — locally,” said Dr. Martin Stallone, CEO of Cayuga Health and Centralus Health, in a press release about the move.

“As health systems face increasing financial and workforce challenges, this partnership enables us to leverage shared resources, increase efficiencies, and ultimately lower operational costs,” added Jonathan Lawrence, president and CEO of Arnot Health and executive vice president of Centralus Health. 

Deaconess Health Kentucky and Jennie Stuart Health

Jennie Stuart Health announced March 4 that it and Deaconess Health Kentucky signed a definitive agreement under which Jennie Stuart Health will join the health system. Deaconess plans to invest at least $95 million into Jennie Stuart in addition to funding an estimated $40 million-$60 million transition to Epic. The transaction is expected to close on or before Aug. 1.

HCA Healthcare and Catholic Medical Center

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella announced in January that his office accepted settlement terms related to HCA Healthcare’s acquisition of Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, N.H.

According to Healthcare Dive, HCA closed the $110 million deal Feb. 1.

AdventHealth and SharePoint Health

AdventHealth closed its acquisition of ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte in Port Charlotte, Fla., March 1. The 254-bed hospital has been renamed AdventHealth Port Charlotte.

As part of the deal, AdventHealth also acquired ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda’s hospital site. Community Health Systems closed the site following damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton last year. The deal totaled $265 million.

LEARN MORE: Connect business outcomes to your merger and acquisitions journey.

Grand View Health and St. Luke’s University Health Network

Grand View Health and St. Luke’s University Health Network signed a definitive agreement to partner in January. The transaction will likely be completed in the second half of the year.

Grand View Health’s main campus is located in Sellersville, Pa., while St. Luke’s has 15 campuses across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Oceans Healthcare and Haven Behavioral Healthcare

At the beginning of the year, outpatient behavioral health services provider Oceans Healthcare expanded its network into five new states with its acquisition of Nashville, Tenn.-based Haven Behavioral Healthcare’s outstanding shares. Oceans Healthcare now has locations in nine states across the U.S.

WVU Medicine and Weirton Medical Center

Weirton Medical Center was welcomed as a full-time member of WVU Medicine January 1. WMC, located in Weirton, W. Va., is a 238-bed acute care hospital with 50 ancillary locations across West Virginia, eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

“Today’s event is nearly five years to the day since we announced our clinical affiliation with WVU Medicine. Since that time, our patients have had access to world-class care they would have otherwise had to travel out of state to receive,” said John Frankovitch, WMC president emeritus and strategic adviser, in a statement.

The move was first announced in March 2024. Before becoming a full-time member, WMC had been a clinical affiliate of WVU Medicine since 2020.

CONSIDER: Strengthen technology partnerships in healthcare mergers and acquisitions.

NYU Langone Health and Long Island Community Hospital

NYU Langone Health completed its full asset merger with Long Island Community Hospital in March. The hospital, which had been affiliated with NYU Langone since March 2022, will now be known as NYU Langone Hospital — Suffolk. It serves the area’s population of more than 400,000.

NYU Langone has invested in the hospital’s services, infrastructure and technology, including the implementation of Epic and digital tablets in patient rooms.

“NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk represents a direct investment in our communities, bringing new resources and improved services to Long Islanders,” said Congressman Andrew Garbarino in a press release.

OhioHealth and Morrow County Hospital

Morrow County Hospital joined the OhioHealth health network in January as the organization’s 16th full-time hospital. Prior to joining as a full-time member, the Mount Gilead, Ohio-based hospital was managed by OhioHealth for 40 years according to a press release.

Rady Children’s Hospital and Children’s HealthCare of California

Two pediatric health systems in Southern California closed a merger Jan. 8 that was first announced in December 2023. Rady’s Children’s Hospital and Health Center, which operates Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, and Children’s HealthCare of California, which operates Children’s Hospital of Orange County and CHOC at Mission, have merged to create a combined entity called Rady Children’s Health.