UAB Buying Ascension’s St. Vincent’s Health System in Central Alabama
Special to the Western Star
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has approved an agreement between Ascension and UAB.
This means UAB will assume ownership of Ascension’s St. Vincent’s Health System in Central Alabama. This includes hospitals in Birmingham, Blount, Chilton, and St. Clair Counties. It also includes the Trussville freestanding campus and the 119 campus.
This is because Ascension lost $1.1 billion last year. An alliance between UAB and Ascension began in 2020. The acquisition which should be completed in Fall 2024. This is subject to standard regulatory approvals and pending satisfaction of closing conditions and approval by the Catholic church.
Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates job security is not threatened by the news. Employees are expected to be able to stay in their current positions without having to re-apply for their jobs.
St. Vincent’s hospital is coined as Birmingham’s oldest hospital, operating since 1898. UAB officials plan to maintain the history and culture of St. Vincent’s through this transition period. Both hospitals will continue normal operations while their teams collaborate to plan the transition.
