St. Mary’s Health Care System, Inc., announced yesterday that it has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center in Lavonia, Ga., from Ty Cobb Healthcare System, Inc. 

Terms of the proposed purchase are confidential and several regulatory agencies must approve the transaction before it is finalized.  St. Mary’s President and CEO Don McKenna noted that the due diligence process is underway.  If the parties conclude the purchase, it is expected to take several months to complete the transaction. 

The anticipated sale will include only Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center, a 56-bed hospital located at 367 Clear Creek Parkway, Lavonia.  Other components of Ty Cobb Healthcare System are not part of the agreement. 

“We are looking forward to working with the Ty Cobb staff and medical community to ensure that people in the Lake Hartwell area continue to have access to high quality healthcare close to home,” said Don McKenna, St. Mary’s President and CEO. “We are very excited about this opportunity to expand and enhance St. Mary’s mission to be a compassionate and transforming healing presence in our communities.” 

“St. Mary’s and Ty Cobb have worked cooperatively for many years, but during our discussions over the past few months, it has been our pleasure to work even more closely with their Board, administrators and medical staff,” said Bob Snipes, Chair of St. Mary’s Board of Directors.  “We feel there are strong opportunities not only for continuing Ty Cobb’s tradition of quality care in these communities, but expanding services to provide even more care locally.” 

“We are extremely pleased that, with the signing of this Letter of Intent, we have taken the next step forward in ensuring that the healthcare mission of Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center continues for decades to come,” said Greg Hearn, Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center CEO. “Our community needs and deserves quality healthcare, and in today’s environment, rural hospitals must be part of a larger system in order to fulfill their mission.” 

Ty Cobb Healthcare System Chairman Fort Oglesby stated, “St. Mary’s is one of the most respected healthcare systems in Georgia.  We feel they will be a tremendous partner with our community for the future of healthcare in our region.”