HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – A definitive agreement to merge Jennie Stuart Health with Deaconess has been reached, with the transaction expected to close on or before August 2025. This announcement comes after the anti-merger group Save Jennie Stuart confirmed that their lawsuit against the deal was dismissed.

“Under the agreement, Deaconess has committed to invest at least $95 million in Jennie Stuart and has also pledged to fully fund JSH’s transition to Deaconess’s EHR platform,” said a statement from Clay Ahart, Director of Provider Outreach and Community Relations for Jennie Stuart Health. “Additionally, Deaconess has also agreed to retain all active employees and maintain salaries, wages and benefits as of closing.”

In a news release from Jennie Stuart, they detail that after the merger the community will have access to critical technology upgrades that enable a higher standard of care. Deaconess will maintain current services while also expanding capabilities by bringing in more specialists and investing in treatments that were not previously accessible to the community.

Future board and community impact

“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.

Jennie Stuart’s Board of Trustees will be comprised of 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, according to a news release.

Shawn McCoy, Deaconess Chief Executive Officer said, “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.”

In January, a lawsuit filed against the hospital by Save Jennie Stuart had been dismissed. According to a previous news release from SJS, the makeup of the Jennie Stuart committee negotiation deal was changed after the lawsuit, and an effort was made to obtain more favorable terms for the sale. That proposal was supported by the Jennie Stuart Board on Feb. 26, 2025.

A statement from SJS says, “Although the members of SJS continue to oppose the takeover and mourn the loss of Jennie Stuart’s assets to an Evansville-based health care conglomerate, they hope the takeover will result in better medical care for the community and a continuation of the charitable contributions made by Jennie Stuart to the community over the years.”

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