Affiliation with Deaconesswill provide for technology upgrades and capital investments to benefit Jennie Stuart patients, caregivers and thelocalcommunity
Jennie Stuart Board of Trustees will retain influence over local operations and financial decisions
HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. and EVANSVILLE, Ind., March 4, 2025 – Jennie Stuart Health (“Jennie Stuart” or “JSH”) and Deaconess Health Kentucky (“Deaconess”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Jennie Stuart will join Deaconess and significantly enhance the quality of local healthcare. Under the terms of the agreement, Deaconess has committed to invest at least $95 million in Jennie Stuart and has pledged to fully fund JSH’s transition to Deaconess’s electronic health records (“EHR”) platform – priority initiatives that will benefit the health system’s patients, caregivers and local community.
“This milestone will ensure Jennie Stuart can deliver even better health care for our communities for our next 100 years,” said Eric Lee, Jennie Stuart President and CEO. “Given our common mission and shared commitment to community-based health care, as well as Deaconess’s strong commitment to expand and invest in core services in Hopkinsville, Jennie Stuart has a brighter future ahead. We are strengthening what makes Jennie Stuart special – we will continue to provide compassionate and high-quality care to all our patients, and I deeply thank our caregivers for remaining dedicated to caring for our patients every single day.”
“We are excited to take this important next step to help empower Jennie Stuart caregivers and strengthen patient care in the local community,” said Shawn McCoy, Deaconess Chief Executive Officer. “Through this process, I’ve had the chance to get to know many Jennie Stuart team members and have seen firsthand their dedication to providing quality care every day. With greater capital investment and the adoption of best-in-class technology, this highly qualified team can better serve patients and improve the standard of care locally for many years to come.”
Upon completion of the transaction, Jennie Stuart patients, employees and the local community will benefit from the following commitments and priority initiatives:
- Access to Critical Investments and Technology Upgrades that Enable a Higher Standard of Care: Deaconess has committed to invest at least $95 million in Jennie Stuart and, additionally, has pledged to fully fund JSH’s transition to Deaconess’s EHR platform, which would cost JSH an estimated $40 – 60 million as a standalone entity. Jennie Stuart physicians, nurses and staff will have access to the best-in-class Epic technology to digitalize patient medical histories, reduce potential margin of error and improve physicians’ ability to provide excellent care.
- Expanded Local Capabilities and Lines of Care: Deaconess will maintain all of Jennie Stuart’s current services and offerings and help Jennie Stuart expand its capabilities by bringing in more specialists and offering treatments that might have previously required patients to travel outside their community. The intent is to keep patient care closer to home.
- Strengthened Commitment to Jennie Stuart’s Local Philanthropy: Deaconess is committed to supporting the Jennie Stuart Health Foundation for years to come. In addition to its capital and EHR commitments, Deaconess will also contribute $5 million to the Foundation at closing to secure programs such as the Tree of Life, which provides critical funding for local cancer patients, and Operation Love, which supports Jennie Stuart employees in overcoming unexpected financial hardship. Additionally, as a result of collaborative discussions between Deaconess and the Jennie Stuart Board over the last several months, Deaconess has further agreed to commit additional support to the Foundation following closing.
- Supportive and Engaging Environment for Employees: Jennie Stuart can invest in the tools that will empower and attract the best and brightest in health care, while maintaining the trust of patients seeking exceptional care. Deaconess has agreed to retain all active employees and maintain salaries, wages and benefits as of closing.
- Community-Focused and Local Decision Making: Deaconess understands the importance of quality local healthcare and community-focused decision making. Jennie Stuart’s Board of Trustees will comprise 12 Trustees, in addition to three Deaconess-appointed individuals, and will retain influence over Jennie Stuart’s local operations and financial decisions. Jennie Stuart’s current management team will continue to lead local operations.
This agreement follows a letter of intent signed in September 2024 by both organizations and after an extensive due diligence process, supported by highly regarded and independent external legal and financial advisors, was completed. Following this thorough evaluation, Jennie Stuart’s Board of Trustees determined this affiliation agreement presented the best path forward for Jennie Stuart’s patients, caregivers and community members. The transaction is expected to close on or before August 1, 2025, at which time Jennie Stuart will become an operating subsidiary of Deaconess.
About Deaconess Health System
Deaconess Health System, through its hospitals and affiliates, is a premiere provider of health care services to a population of more than 1.5 million in southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky and southeastern Illinois. The system – based in Evansville, Indiana – includes 20 hospitals as well as Deaconess Clinic, a fully integrated multispecialty group, providing patients with consistent and convenient care. Additional components of the Health System include The Women’s Hospital, Linda E. White Hospice House, a cancer center, urgent care facilities, near site clinics, telemedicine, virtual visits and a number of partnerships with other regional health care providers.
About Jennie Stuart Health
Jennie Stuart Health has been serving the patients of Southwestern Kentucky and north central Tennessee for over 110 years at their acute care hospital and outpatient ancillary service locations. Jennie Stuart Health is committed to excellence in service, existing to promote, to preserve, and to accommodate the growing healthcare needs of the community.
Media Contacts
Jennie Stuart Health
Clay Ahart, MBA
Deaconess Health
Jennifer Popalzai
