WARNER ROBINS and ATLANTA, GA – Houston Healthcare, a community-based, not-for-profit health system in Warner Robins, and Emory Healthcare, a comprehensive, academic health system in Atlanta, have announced that they have signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) for Houston Healthcare to join Emory Healthcare.
Following the signing of the LOI, the parties will enter into a due diligence process to explore the potential collaboration. Subject to completion of all required regulatory reviews and satisfaction of all closing conditions, the parties expect to sign a definitive agreement and close the transaction in 2025.
“We are excited about the potential of this new relationship with Houston Healthcare as it broadens our geographic reach in Georgia while expanding our ability to provide high-quality care and services to areas outside of Atlanta,” said Emory Healthcare CEO June S. Lee, M.D. “Both Emory and Houston Healthcare are committed to providing excellent care and enhanced access to those who need our services and expertise.”
“Houston Healthcare has been serving the community for more than 60 years, and we look forward to continuing and enhancing our high-quality, patient-centered services and care through our new affiliation with Emory Healthcare,” said Charles G. Briscoe, FACHE, president and CEO of Houston Healthcare. “We are ambitious for the future.”
“Looking to the future, our board of directors and management determined that joining a larger, established hospital was the next necessary step to increase operational efficiency and growth while continuing Houston Healthcare’s tradition of quality care,” said Dr. Ivan Allen, chairman of Houston Healthcare System Inc.
“We are extremely proud of what Houston Healthcare has accomplished and provided to our community as an independent health system since 1960. Combining the expertise and resources of Emory Healthcare will enable us to even better serve the needs of our patients and community for years to come,” said Houston Hospital Chairman Tommy Stalnaker.
Houston Healthcare is a community-based health system headquartered in Warner Robins, Georgia. With two hospital campuses, five outpatient facilities and nine clinics, Houston Healthcare has been serving Houston County and throughout Middle Georgia since 1960. The organization has 2,500 employees and 200 physicians providing a full range of health care services to more than 300,000 patients annually.
With approximately 24,000 employees and 11 hospitals, Emory Healthcare is Georgia’s most comprehensive academic health system. Systemwide, Emory Healthcare has 2,796 licensed patient beds and more than 3,450 physicians practicing in more than 70 specialties, serving metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia. Emory Healthcare also serves the entire state of Georgia through its St. Francis Emory Healthcare joint venture in Columbus, six regional affiliated hospitals and a clinically integrated physician network.
