LifePoint Health and Kindred Healthcare announced plans to establish a new healthcare company operating under the name ScionHealth upon closing of their previously announced transaction.

Headquartered in Louisville, ScionHealth will consist of 79 hospital campuses in 25 states, including Kindred’s 61 long-term acute care hospitals and 18 of LifePoint’s community hospitals and associated health systems. These facilities are well-aligned in terms of operational and strategic approach, and together they will form a strong and cohesive system with unique and compelling opportunities for growth. ScionHealth will be led by a management team drawing from both LifePoint and Kindred. Rob Jay, who currently serves as executive vice president of integrated operations at LifePoint, will serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ScionHealth.

“As our teams began to examine how best to bring together the operations of LifePoint and Kindred, it became increasingly clear that we had the right mix of talent, services and assets to reorganize into two strong companies to better serve our patients and communities,” said David Dill, president and CEO of LifePoint. “In forming two companies with unique areas of focus, LifePoint Health and ScionHealth can improve access to quality care, create more opportunities for our employees, and invest in our communities.”

At the close of the transaction, LifePoint will combine its 65+ remaining hospital campuses as well as its network of physician practices and outpatient centers with Kindred’s rehabilitation and behavioral health businesses. This will further establish LifePoint as a leading diversified healthcare delivery network focused on providing high quality, integrated, community-based care at sites of care across the healthcare continuum. LifePoint will continue to be headquartered in Nashville, and David Dill will remain its president and CEO.

“The opportunity to create two leading healthcare companies through this transaction is transformational for our businesses,” said Benjamin A. Breier, CEO of Kindred Healthcare, who, upon close, will depart Kindred Healthcare as a result of the transaction. “With the launch of ScionHealth and growth of LifePoint Health, our organizations will advance healthcare for the communities we serve, while building upon Kindred’s legacy and commitment to the Louisville business community as a strong corporate citizen, significant employer, and care innovator. Our patients and partners will greatly benefit from two well-capitalized and diversified companies that are unique in their focus but also share a deep commitment to quality care, collaboration, and creating great workplaces.”

LifePoint and ScionHealth will both be well capitalized businesses focused on growth and grounded in commitments to outstanding patient care and quality outcomes. The companies will have separate leadership and boards of directors. Each ScionHealth hospital will operate under the same name it does today, and their communities will continue receiving quality care delivered by the providers they know and trust. By prioritizing care at the bedside, embracing collaboration, and investing in innovative services and technology, the companies will continue to advance clinical and compliance excellence, make healthcare more accessible and support healthier communities.

“The prospect of launching ScionHealth is exciting for our teams and our communities, and I’m honored to serve as the company’s founding CEO,” said Jay. “In forming ScionHealth, we selected a cohesive group of community health systems across the LifePoint and Kindred footprint that would benefit from focused attention, resources and investment. We are looking forward to extending the legacies of LifePoint Health and Kindred Healthcare, honoring Kindred’s important corporate leadership role in Louisville, and creating a new platform for growth and innovation in community healthcare.”

Upon the completion of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the acquisition of Kindred and the launch of ScionHealth are expected to be completed by the end of the year. At closing, LifePoint and ScionHealth anticipate entering into transition services arrangements to support operations at both companies.