Little Company Of Mary Hospital And Rush Merger Off The Table

Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers have called off a planned merger with the Rush health system. Both non-profits had announced their intent in October 2016 to pursue a possible partnership. Crain’s reported Wednesday that LCMH and Rush’s plans to combine were off the table.

"Representatives of the Rush system and Little Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers have mutually agreed to terminate their integration discussions," the nonprofits wrote in a statement. "Both organizations maintain their mutual respect for each other and will pursue efforts independently to advance care and service to Chicago-area patients and communities."

At the time the potential merger was explored, it was part of Little Company of Mary Hospital’s plan to expand and offer more advanced services in the south suburbs beyond Evergreen Park. Rush wanted to expand its footprint in the south suburbs and northwest Indiana by teaming up with a local player. Both parties had signed a non-binding letter of intent in October 2016 to pursue a possible partnership.

A representative at LCMH confirmed that the merger was off. The hospital did not give a reason why the talks broke down. LCMH is owned and operated as a Catholic ministry by the Little Company of Mary Sisters.

~ Photo provided by LCMH