BJC and Saint Luke's Complete Transaction to Combine as Single, Integrated Health System
ST. LOUIS and KANSAS CITY, Mo. – BJC Health System of St. Louis (“BJC”) and Saint Luke's Health System of Kansas City (“Saint Luke’s”) today announced they have completed their transaction to combine as an integrated, academic, and patient-centric Missouri-based health system.
The two nonprofit health systems first announced plans to integrate in May 2023 following the signing of a letter of intent, and then reached a definitive agreement in November after satisfying all regulatory reviews. The transaction officially closed on Jan. 1, 2024, when Saint Luke’s joined BJC.
With this action, BJC continues to be one of the largest employers in Missouri with a combined workforce of 44,000, and is now home to the top three and five of the top 10 hospitals in the state, according to the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings.
BJC remains committed to providing high-quality, affordable patient care at its 24 hospitals and hundreds of clinics in Missouri, southern Illinois, and eastern Kansas. It now offers patients expanded access to more than 3,500 clinical trials and increased opportunities for shared research, innovation, and clinical collaboration among physicians and researchers. BJC anticipates an annual community impact of $1B for the broader geographic area it now serves.
As previously announced, BJC will operate as a single, integrated health care organization serving patients from across Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and the greater Midwest region and beyond. It will operate as BJC HealthCare in its Eastern Region and as Saint Luke’s Health System in its Western Region. Patients will experience no immediate change to the way they currently receive care, access their health records, or communicate with their medical teams.
BJC Health System is led by CEO Richard J. Liekweg and an executive team focused on the mission and operations of the organization. In addition to his role as newly named BJC Health System President, Nick Barto also serves as President of the Eastern Region and will continue to be based in St. Louis. Julie Quirin has been named President of the Western Region and is located in Kansas City.
“From the moment we first explored the concept of an integrated system, we have had a clear vision to improve health care in the Midwest,” said Richard Liekweg, BJC Chief Executive Officer. “By working together to deliver extraordinary clinical care and becoming the region’s premier destination to practice medicine, we will enhance patient care and accelerate medical breakthroughs. Today, with our 44,000 committed, hard-working clinicians and employees, we take the first step in making that vision a reality.”
To learn more about the integration and to get answers to frequently asked questions, please visit: bjc.org/IntegrationFAQ
About BJC Health System
BJC Health System is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States and the largest in the state of Missouri, serving urban, suburban, and rural communities across Missouri, southern Illinois, eastern Kansas, and the greater Midwest region. One of the largest employers in Missouri, BJC operates as BJC HealthCare in its Eastern Region and as Saint Luke’s Health System in its Western Region. BJC is comprised of 24 hospitals and hundreds of clinics and service organizations all committed to providing extraordinary patient care and advancing medical breakthroughs. BJC’s nationally recognized academic hospitals—Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals—are affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine.
Media Contacts
BJC Health System
• Jacqueline Ferman-Grothe, jacqueline.ferman-grothe@bjc.org, 314-265-9321 – BJC HealthCare, Eastern Region
• Laurel Gifford, lgifford@saintlukeskc.org, 816-729-7525- Saint Luke’s Health System, Western Region
