Alexian Brothers Health System, which has an array of Chattanooga-area facilities employing about 750 people, has agreed to merge with the nation’s largest Catholic-owned medical care provider.
Ascension Health, operator of both St. Thomas Hospital and Baptist Hospital in Nashville, has signed a nonbinding letter of intent to acquire Alexian, according to the entities.
In the Chattanooga area, Alexian traces its Roman Catholic roots to 1936 on Signal Mountain where it set up a retreat and training center.
Now, the suburban Chicago-based Alexian has a number of interdependent offerings providing residential and community-based retirement services in the region ranging from home health care to senior apartments to a skilled nursing home.
Matt Fox, chief executive of Alexian Village here, said Friday he expects little immediate impact on local operations from the proposed merger.