SSM Health Care Finalizes Agreement to Acquire Unity Health Center

June 29, 2012   SHAWNEE, Okla.

SSM Health Care and Unity Health Center finalized an agreement to bring Unity Health Center into SSM Health Care Oklahoma on June 30, 2012. The hospital was dedicated and blessed with its new name -- St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital -- in a ceremony today at 10:00 a.m. Terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.

Unity Health Center is a 114-bed facility with approximately 60 physicians and 550 health care professionals that has been serving the health care needs of the Shawnee, Okla., community since 1964. Prior to the agreement with SSM, the hospital was locally owned and operated by Community Health Partners Inc., a not-for-profit corporation governed by a 15-member board of directors.

“Unity Health Center and St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City have been closely affiliated for many years,” said SSM President/CEO Bill Thompson. “We also share similar cultures, as well as a similar mission, vision and values, which makes this a perfect fit. We are committed to serve the health needs of communities far into the future.”

“We look forward to enhancing our health care ministry in Oklahoma with the addition of Unity Health Center to SSM Health Care Oklahoma. We are pleased to join a highly reputable organization such as Unity to serve the residents of Shawnee and the surrounding communities,” said Joe Hodges, regional president/system vice president, SSM Health Care Oklahoma.

“Ten years ago we created a relationship with SSM that brought the two hospitals together and helped us evolve into the exceptional organization we are today. We couldn’t be more pleased to finalize this agreement that will take this relationship to the next level in order to expand and enhance services and secure the future of health care in our community for years to come,” stated Chuck Skillings, CEO, Unity Health Center.
The transaction will also create one of the largest charitable foundations in the state of Oklahoma. The strength of the Avedis Foundation's assets will allow them to expand their mission of improving health, wellness and quality of life for the residents of Pottawatomie County and their neighboring communities. The Avedis Foundation has already begun investing in Pottawatomie County by pledging $35 million to the new St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital to help fund an expansion and renovation.

With the finalization of this agreement, SSM owns three hospitals in Oklahoma: St. Anthony Hospital (Oklahoma City); Bone and Joint Hospital at St. Anthony (Oklahoma City); and St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital (Shawnee, Okla.). The SSM of Oklahoma network also includes two St. Anthony Healthplex campuses, 20 affiliated hospitals, and St. Anthony Physicians with 42 locations and more than 150 physicians and providers, including the newly acquired St. Anthony Physicians Shawnee.