AG Kilmartin Approves Landmark Sale To Steward

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin has approved the sale of Landmark Medical Center to Steward Health Care System, clearing the way for the purchase.

“I am pleased to announce the approval of, with reasonable conditions, the sale of Landmark to Steward.  For nearly four years, the fate of Landmark has been in question, in terms of access to healthcare for Northern Rhode Island residents, as provider of good paying jobs, and as a generator of economic activity. Today’s announcement, along with the recent approval by the Department of Health, allows the two entities to move forward with the proposed sale, and give greater certainty that access to quality healthcare services to area residents will continue,” said Kilmartin.

“Today marks the successful ending, from a regulatory standpoint, of a very long and complex process. This is obviously great news for the thousands of local residents who rely on Landmark and RHRI, and for our 1,200 employees," said Richard R. Charest, president of Landmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island.

Congressman David Cicilline also praised the decision. "For years, Landmark Medical Center has been a treasured institution for both the dedicated health professionals who work there and the Northern Rhode Island families who depend on it for life-saving care.  Over the past year, I have spoken with stakeholders and elected officials across our state to discuss what we could do to keep Landmark from closing its doors.  I am pleased that Attorney General Kilmartin took action today to approve this sale so that Landmark will continue to serve as a valued community asset." Cicilline spoke in favor of the sale during a recent hearing at Woonsocket City Hall.

Without the sale, Landmark, the 31st largest employer in the state, was in risk of closing, said Charest during an April 9 public hearing on the sale. With Steward, Charest said, the center will benefit from investments in technology and equipment.

Kilmartin recognized Jodi Bourque, Assistant Attorney General and Health Care Advocate, and the cooperative partnership with the Department of Health in concluding the review and approval process nearly two months in advance of the statutory timeline.