MIAMI – The Hospital Corporation of America has entered into a letter of intent with Mercy Hospital in Miami, Fla., for the sale of the acute care facility to HCA.
Mercy’s board of directors voted last week to sell the 473-bed hospital to HCA, citing the company’s presence in South Florida and reputation for quality care.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to allow Mercy to be part of a larger presence in South Florida, while the mission of service to our patients continues," said Manuel P. Anton, MD, president and CEO of Mercy Hospital. “Our top priority as always is the care of patients. This will be a seamless process for patients, their families, our associates and physicians.”
Anton said Mercy would continue to operate “in a manner consistent with the designation as a Catholic hospital,” meaning that it would adhere to Catholic faith principles and would be endorsed by the Archbishop of Miami as a Catholic hospital.
Mercy is Miami-Dade County’s only Catholic hospital, providing care to residents of Miami and Coral Gables, Fla.
The hospital will retain its name and continue to serve as a Catholic acute care hospital, although owned and operated by HCA. Pending execution of a definitive agreement and receiving customary regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the near future.
Michael G. Joseph, president of HCA's East Florida division, said the acquisition would complement the hospital company’s presence in the area, which consists of a 12-hospital network, 12 outpatient surgery centers, numerous imaging facilities, an integrated regional laboratory and multiple physician practices.
HCA operates more than 160 hospitals and more than 100 surgery centers in 20 states and the U.K.
