Resolutions have been approved taking the next step in University Hospital becoming part of Piedmont Healthcare, the largest provider in Georgia. The unanimous vote by University Hospital’s Board of Directors and the Richmond County Hospital Authority came in a called meeting on Sept. 9.
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The merger, first announced in May 2021, calls for Piedmont to invest $1 billion over the next 10 years to expand and upgrade University’s operation. The deal includes the Summerville Hospital, University Hospital McDuffie and four nursing homes operated by University Health Care System.
Included in the financial arrangements is a commitment from Piedmont to invest $2 million a year for 10 years to address community health needs.
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“That will be used to try to address the social inequities of health in our community,” said University’s President and CEO Jim Davis. “So, food deserts, education issues, access to care, clinics in the community. We do a lot of that now. Piedmont’s kicking in another $2 million a year to supplement that.”
Assurances for employees are also built into the affiliate agreement. Piedmont agrees no employee will be terminated, except for cause, in the first 12 months after the closing and duties and responsibilities will remain substantially similar.
Several steps remain until the merger is finalized. The plan must be submitted to the Federal Trade Commission, a step required for any large mergers. It will also be reviewed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. As part of that review, a public hearing will be scheduled 60 after a notice is published.
Based in Atlanta, Piedmont’s website said it has 16 hospitals, 50 Piedmont Urgent Care centers, 25 QuickCare locations, 610 Piedmont Clinic physician practice locations and more than 2,770 Piedmont Clinic members.
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When the merger was first announced, Kevin Brown, president and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare released a statement.
“We have a great deal of respect for the work they’re doing and the caliber of the administrative and clinical team,” the statement read. “We share a common culture that includes a focus on quality and safety, fiscal responsibility and service to our collective communities. These are hallmarks of a good partnership, so I’m pleased that we’re able to explore further collaboration.”
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University Hospital, originally called City Hospital, was founded in 1818. Davis says the management team will change, but technically all the hospital assets are still owned by the Richmond County Hospital Authority.
“It really sets our organization up to take care of this community for the next 30 years and in good fashion, too,” Davis said.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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