Georgia AG OKs merger of Warner Robins-based Houston Healthcare, Emory Healthcare
The Georgia Attorney General’s Office has given the greenlight for the integration of Houston Healthcare, which operates hospitals in Warner Robins and Perry, with Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare.
With the final regulatory hurdle cleared, Houston Healthcare is expected to officially become part of the extensive Emory Healthcare system Sunday.
“We are excited we have reached this important milestone to bring our two organizations together,” Dr. Joon S. Lee, CEO of Emory Healthcare, said in a news release. “The unification of our two health systems will allow us to strengthen and grow our services for patients in Central Georgia, while providing continuous high-quality health care to the communities who need us most.”
Emory Healthcare operates 10 hospitals with 2,811 combined patient beds and 26,400 employees, including more than 3,940 physicians in more than 70 specialties in metro Atlanta and the state.
Additionally, Emory Healthcare provides services through a joint venture at St. Francis-Emory Healthcare in Columbus with six regional affiliate hospitals and a clinically integrated physician network.
Headquartered in Warner Robins, Houston Healthcare includes the two hospitals with a combined 282 beds, seven outpatient facilities and nine physician practices — providing “a full suite” of medical services with 2,500 employees and 200 physicians serving more than 300,000 patients annually.
“This new affiliation with Emory Healthcare will help us reinforce our commitment of providing exceptional care and patient-focused services in Warner Robins, Perry and the surrounding areas,” Charles G. Briscoe, Houston Healthcare president and CEO, said in the release. “For more than 60 years, we have supported our community with their health care needs and we look forward to what the future holds.”
The two organizations have been working for about a year on the merger having signed a letter of intent to explore the possibilities of Houston Healthcare joining Emory Healthcare in August 2024.
In February, they finalized the terms of a definitive agreement that specified the details and provisions of Houston Healthcare’s integration into Emory Healthcare. A public hearing was held in April.
The approval from Attorney General Chris Carr’s office was announced Wednesday by both Houston Healthcare and Emory Healthcare, and all that’s left is the final completion of the paperwork.