Notable healthcare mergers and acquisitions in Q2 2026 include Ascension’s $3.9 billion acquisition of AMSURG, an ambulatory surgery center services company. The Federal Trade Commission required Ascension to divest seven AMSURG locations in five states to complete the transaction.
Daniel Guarnera, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, said, “The FTC’s action ordering divestitures of surgical care centers will help preserve a competitive market that will allow patients to get the care they need at a fair price.”
The deal expands Ascension’s network to 300 ambulatory surgery centers nationwide. Eduardo Conrado, president and CEO of Ascension, stated, “By expanding our ambulatory surgery capabilities, we are making care more accessible, convenient, and affordable for patients, while ensuring our hospitals remain focused on highly specialized acute care.”
Health System Combinations
Atrium Health and WakeMed announced an agreement to combine in early May, with a $2 billion investment in Wake County to redevelop the Raleigh Campus and expand healthcare services. The combination will create 3,300 new jobs and form the largest nonprofit mental health network in North Carolina.
WakeMed rejected an offer from UNC that included $5 billion in investments, opting for the Atrium Health deal instead. Sutter Health and Allina Health also signed a letter of intent in May, with the combined health system expected to invest over $2 billion in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health, said, “When Allina Health joins Sutter Health, we look forward to making significant investments that improve care access and patient experience in Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities.”
Sanford Health plans to combine with North Memorial Health, creating a single nonprofit health system with a $600 million investment in its Robbinsdale and Maple Grove hospitals in Minnesota. Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, stated, “Our approach is to partner with local leaders, understand community needs, and invest for the long term.”
In May, CommonSpirit signed a definitive agreement to sell Ohio-based Trinity Health System to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), with the transaction expected to be completed in fall 2026. Dwayne Richardson, interim market president of Trinity Health System, said, “UPMC’s proven track record of community service and compassionate approach to care were key factors in our decision.”
Acquisitions and Investments
Aveanna Healthcare Holdings acquired Family First Homecare, a pediatric home-care provider, for $175.7 million.
The West Virginia University Health System signed a definitive agreement to acquire Independence Health System, with $800 million in planned investments across Independence Health System’s five hospitals. Albert L. Wright Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said, “This partnership is about preserving and expanding access to high-quality healthcare close to home.”
Lifepoint Health acquired eight community hospitals from ScionHealth, with ScionHealth citing its desire to concentrate on specialty hospital services as a major driver of the decision. Parkview Health and Witham Health Services signed a non-binder letter of intent, with Witham president and CEO Kelly Braverman stating, “We wanted a leader in quality, and we’ve found that at Parkview.”
Huntsville Hospital Health System acquired Crestwood Medical Center from Community Health Systems for $459 million. Orlando Health announced plans to acquire RMC Health System, with the transaction expected to be completed in fall 2026 and significant resources invested in RMC over the next five years.
Deaconess Associations will acquire 31 home health and hospice locations from HCA Healthcare, with the organizations joining Deaconess subsidiary Central Pyramid. Baystate Health and Trinity Health of New England signed a definitive agreement for Mercy Medical Center to join Baystate Health, citing significant challenges and financial pressures faced by Mercy.
CHRISTUS Health began operations at Titus Regional Medical Center, now called CHRISTUS Health – Mount Pleasant Hospital, and opened the CHRISTUS Health Mount Pleasant Emergency Care Center.
Monument Health added Rapid City Medical Center to its health system, with Rapid City Medical Center CEO Jay Hammerquist stating, “Joining Monument Health means our patients will have access to even greater resources and a deeper network of care.”
Wellstar Health System finalized an agreement to acquire Mountain Lakes Medical Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Georgia, with the transaction expected to close on August 1. Mountain Lakes Medical Center CEO Kristy Hall said, “We believe joining Wellstar creates exciting opportunities to build on that success.”
Health System Expansions
Prime Healthcare acquired Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, a 214-bed hospital in Illinois, and added Specialty Physicians of Illinois to its health system. The hospital was rebranded as Olympia Fields Hospital, becoming Prime Healthcare’s 55th hospital.
