Culminating months of negotiations, due diligence proceedings and state review, St. Mary’s Health Care System announced today that it has acquired Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center effective June 1, 2015. The hospital is now officially St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital.

“This is a banner day for Franklin, Hart and Stephens counties, and for all of Northeast Georgia,” said Diane Toney, chair of the newly-formed Sacred Heart Hospital Board of Directors. “St. Mary’s is one of the most highly respected, multi-hospital systems in Georgia. They bring unprecedented levels of quality, best practices, supply system leverage and financial stability to healthcare in our community. Our hospital is in good hands.”

As previously announced, St. Mary’s Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services Jeff English is now the hospital’s interim president. His leadership team includes Lauren Papka, Director of Administrative and Support Services, and Regina Hooper, Director of Nursing.

With the acquisition, former Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center CEO Greg Hearn has ended his leadership over the hospital, but will continue to serve as CEO of Ty Cobb Healthcare System, which retains facilities that were not included in the sale to St. Mary’s.

“We appreciate the enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by Greg, the Ty Cobb leadership team, and the hospital’s front-line staff during this process,” English said. “We are especially grateful for their dedication to making sure that quality healthcare services continue for this region.

“Over the last few months, I’ve learned how deep the connections to St. Mary’s are in this community,” English added. “The outpouring of enthusiasm and support is very heartening. We are thrilled to be able to expand St. Mary’s mission and presence here. We are looking forward to serving in our new, larger role, and to ensuring that local healthcare services and quality continue to grow for years to come.”

St. Mary’s Health Care President and CEO Don McKenna said, “Our mission is to serve in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities. We appreciate how hard many, many people across this region have worked to ensure their local hospital not only continues, but grows. We are humbled by the trust placed in us, and pledge to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.”

The Georgia Attorney General’s office recently approved the sale of assets, and St. Mary’s and Ty Cobb officials signed the final agreement. According to information released by the Attorney General, St. Mary’s and its parent organization, Trinity Health, are paying $12.9 million for the 56-bed hospital, its Certificate of Need, grounds, and certain related services such as Clear Creek OB/GYN, Healthworks, and the wellness center. 

Ty Cobb Healthcare System will retain the Gables, Home Base Health Services, LifeSprings, the Ty Cobb Museum, and rental properties. St. Mary’s will not be acquiring any outstanding debt from the construction of the hospital, which opened in 2012 at a cost of $62 million. 

“The staff are upbeat and eager to help their community hospital succeed,” English said. “Many of them have been incredibly loyal to this hospital and this community through some very tough times. Without the burden of debt and with access to the financial strength of St. Mary’s and Trinity Health, we are confident that all the ingredients are in place for St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital to thrive.” 

Planning is underway for a blessing ceremony and celebration later this summer.

Sacred Heart Hospital will continue providing all of the hospital-based inpatient and outpatient services provided by TCRMC. As part of St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart Hospital accepts most major forms of insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, and also offers charity care when needed. St. Mary’s is working with the local medical community to identify unmet healthcare needs in the area and enhance services to meet those needs. Information is available at www.stmaryssacredheart.org.