Advocate- Aurora Merger Clears Last Regulatory Review

March 27, 2018
The Chicago-based Advocate Health Care and Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care announced last week that their proposed merger has cleared the regulatory review process, paving the way for the creation of Advocate Aurora Health.

The Chicago-based Advocate Health Care and Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care announced last week that their proposed merger has cleared the regulatory review process, paving the way for the creation of Advocate Aurora Health, which will be the 10th largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S. when the deal is expected to close on April 1, officials said.

The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance approved the proposed deal last week, following successful review by the Federal Trade Commission and approval by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board in February.

“We’re full steam ahead,” Jim Skogsbergh, president and CEO of Advocate, who was named co-CEO of Advocate Aurora Health, said in a statement. “A team of leaders from both systems have developed a comprehensive integration plan that will allow us to accelerate our efforts on safety, health outcomes, consumer experience and cost while delivering value for the patients, communities and employers who count on us.”

Nick Turkal, M.D., president and CEO of Aurora, also named co-CEO of Advocate Aurora Health, added, “Our merger represents a tremendous opportunity to elevate the strengths of two great organizations to shape a better future for those we serve.”

The new integrated organization, called Advocate Aurora Health, will serve nearly 3 million patients each year. The new organization will operate 27 hospitals, more than 500 sites of care, employ more than 3,300 physicians and nearly 70,000 associates and caregivers. “With combined annual revenues of approximately $11 billion, the new organization offers significant resources and the financial flexibility to expand investment and scale innovation,” officials have attested.

It was recently announced that Bobbie Byrne, M.D., would be named CIO of the new organization. Byrne has been with Advocate for about a year.

The agreement includes a plan for a single Board of Directors comprising an equal number of members from Advocate and Aurora. Aurora Board Chair Joanne Disch will chair the Advocate Aurora Health Board of Directors during the first two years, and Advocate Board Chair Michele Richardson will assume leadership for the following two years. Advocate Aurora Health will maintain dual headquarters in Downers Grove, Ill. and Milwaukee, Wis.

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