Signs of the pending merger between University Health Care System and Piedmont Healthcare are becoming evident in Augusta.
At the main hospital at 13th Street and Walton Way, the University Hospital name has been removed from the building.
Spokeswoman Rebecca Sylvester said that was done after Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr approved the merger in January.
The letter, signed by hearing officer Brooke Heinz Chaplain, Senior Assistant Attorney General, reads in part:
“University has taken the appropriate steps to provide for the transfer of control to Piedmont. The proposed transaction is authorized under the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code.”
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University Health Care President and CEO Jim Davis said the University Hospital name has served the Augusta community well for more than 200 years. The name was removed in preparation for the transition to Piedmont Healthcare.
“You will continue to see signs and other landmarks change over the coming months, but patients will continue to see the same physicians and receive the same services and high-quality care they have grown to trust,” said Davis. “We look forward to our official announcement March 1 and to a new era of serving our community, still as the leading health system in the region.”
Davis expects the hospital will be re-named “Piedmont Augusta.”
Word of the possible merger came in May 2021 when Davis confirmed a non-binding letter of intent had been signed between University and Piedmont.
At that time, Hugh Hamilton, chairman of University’s Board of Directors and the Richmond County Hospital Authority, called this a strategic move to advance healthcare in the community.
“We know the future will demand more of us, and our partnership with Piedmont will enable us to transform healthcare for the Augusta region – ensuring University Health Care System can continue to provide exceptional care and fulfill our mission of improving the health of those we serve for future generations,” Hamilton said.
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Resolutions supporting the merger were unanimously approved by University Hospital’s Board of Directors and the Richmond County Hospital Authority came in a called meeting on Sept. 9, 2021.
The merger 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.
This would make University Hospital part of Piedmont’s large network. The Piedmont website says it currently has “16 hospitals, 56 Piedmont Urgent Care centers, 25 QuickCare locations, 610 Piedmont Clinic physician practice locations and more than 2,770 Piedmont Clinic members.”
Sylvester said signs will be changed on all University Health Care properties beginning with the main hospital and the Summerville and McDuffie County hospitals. The rollout to all properties, including several nursing homes, will happen over the coming year with Prompt Care facilities and physicians’ practices expected to be the final ones to change.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
