Virtua acquires Lourdes Health System

Virtua has acquired Lourdes Health System in a transaction that has the potential to reshape health care in South Jersey. Financial terms were not disclosed.

With its expanded portfolio of services and facilities, Virtua said it will extend its reach and reinforce its capacity to provide comprehensive care that is close to home and convenient for residents of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties and beyond.

“Today is the culmination of many months of planning and preparation, and now we can begin the process of building a better, healthier future for the people of South Jersey,” said Dennis Pullin, Virtua’s president and chief executive officer. “The best interest of the community has been the driving force behind this process and it will be our cornerstone moving forward,” said Pullin.

Virtua President and CEO Dennis Pullin completes Virtua’s acquisition of Lourdes Health System. With Pullin (center), seated from left, are John Matsinger, EVO and chief operating officer, and Robert Segin, EVP and chief financial officer. Standing from left are Lauren Rowinski, SVP and general counsel; Sarah Fawcett-Lee, SVP and chief philanthropy officer; Stephanie Fendrick, SVP and chief strategy officer; Rhonda Jordan, SVP and chief human resources officer; Chrisie Scott, SVP and chief marketing officer; and Cort Adelman, AVP of government relations. – VIRTUA

Virtua said the integration of the two not-for-profit health systems combines the high-quality care delivered at Virtua with advanced, specialized care provided at Lourdes — especially in areas like cardiovascular surgery, complex neurosurgery, and transplant services. As a result, Virtua now offers a full spectrum of services to meet the needs of South Jersey residents, particularly those in low-income, underserved neighborhoods.

“The value we place on the patient experience and performance improvement — coupled with our commitment to quality and community involvement — will make a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of the patients we serve,” Pullin said.

“By investing in Lourdes, Virtua is demonstrating that it is fully committed to the people of this region and that, collectively, we are here for good,” said David Kindlick, chairman of the Virtua board of trustees.

The acquisition process began in June 2018, when the boards of Virtua and Pennsylvania-based Maxis Health System — the parent company of Lourdes and a subsidiary of Trinity Health — signed a definitive agreement to move forward with the acquisition. The Lourdes Health System includes Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, Lourdes Medical Associates, and Lourdes Cardiology Services — all of which are now part of Virtua. On June 10 — following a review by state and federal agencies — the state attorney general, in consultation with the Department of Health, recommended to Superior Court Judge Paula Dow that the combination be allowed to proceed. Dow approved acquisition on June 25, 2019.

The combined health system includes 280 care locations and 100-plus buildings. It has more than 13,000 employees, including 2,850 clinicians. Looking forward, Virtua expects to deliver approximately 8,600 babies, treat 325,000 visitors in its emergency rooms, and schedule more than 600,000 outpatient appointments annually.

“Although we may have grown in scope and scale, Virtua’s core principles remain the same,” said Pullin. “We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues, caring for our new patients, and being a true partner in health well into the future.”