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REPUBLICAN-TIMES Old Glory flying at Five Points
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BJC and Saint Luke's Complete Transaction to Combine as Single, Integrated Health System ST. LOUIS and KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, BJC Health System of St. Louis (BJC) and Saint Luke's Health System of Kansas City (Saint Luke’s) 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
Photo Courtesy of BJC Health System
BJC Health System of St. Louis and Saint Luke's Health System of Kansas City have completed their transaction to combine as an integrated, academic, and patient-centric Missouri-based health system. The BJC Health System leadership team includes, from left, Julie Quirin, FACHE, BJC Health System, President of the Western Region; Richard J. Liekweg, BJC Health System CEO; and Nick Barto, BJC Health System President and President of the Eastern Region.
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
6th Annual Bulldog Bright Futures Challenge
BRIEFS Trenton’s Got Talent Auditions
The Trenton High School choirs will be hosting their annual “Trenton’s Got Talent” on Friday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Trenton R-IX Performing Arts Center. Students from college age and younger are eligible for the talent show. Auditions will be held on Thursday, January 11 at the PAC. Students may sign up to audition by filling out the form found on the web at https://forms.gle/D6ehp2Df STvEM2kW7
RT Photo/Libby Endicott
On Tuesday, January 2, the 6th Annual Gallatin/Trenton Bulldog Bright Futures Basketball Challenge was held at Gallatin R-V school during the matchups between the Gallatin Bulldogs and the Trenton Bulldogs. In the past, donations of hygiene products, food and beds have been collected. This year, spectators were asked to bring jars of peanut butter, fruit cups or cans of soup as admission to the game. During half-time of the boys game it was announced a total of 334 food items and $175 in monetary donations and gate fees were collected to be split between the two Bright Futures organizations. Pictured is Gallatin R-V Superintendent Dr. Justin Collins with some of the collected food donations.