Hillcrest Completes Purchase of SouthCrest, Claremore Hospitals

TULSA, Okla. — Hillcrest HealthCare System has successfully completed the purchase of SouthCrest Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., and Claremore Regional Hospital in Claremore, Okla.

The transaction included the assets and operations of the 180-bed SouthCrest Hospital, the 89-bed Claremore Regional Hospital, more than 70 primary care physicians, specialists and mid-level providers and 1,100 employees.

“This is a milestone day for Hillcrest, its patients and residents of south Tulsa and Rogers County,” said Kevin J. Gross, CEO of HHS and president of the Oklahoma Division of Ardent Health Services. “We can now provide more access to quality healthcare for our patients, offer a network of 230 exceptional physicians and begin to invest and expand the capabilities at both SouthCrest and Claremore Regional.”

The first part of that expansion is already underway. The construction of two new heart catheterization labs has begun at SouthCrest Hospital. It’s an investment of $3.2 million. At Claremore Regional, interventional cath procedures will be introduced later this month and an $800,000 internal facilities update will soon be completed that includes walls, floors and ceiling renovations.

HHS has also appointed Joseph Neely as chief executive officer of SouthCrest Hospital. Neely brings more than 35 years of experience in healthcare administration to SouthCrest – much of it in south Tulsa. Neely was previously senior vice president and administrator for Saint Francis Hospital South. He also worked more than six years for HHS in the late 1990s.

“Joe is a team-builder and is proven in developing great relationships with physicians,” said Gross. “He will be a benefit to our patients, our employees and this community as we begin a new era at SouthCrest.”

In the coming weeks and months, Gross and his management team will work closely with physicians and members of leadership at SouthCrest and Claremore Regional to create and implement a smooth transition that will enhance patient services and quality.

The acquisition is another example of investment in Tulsa and Oklahoma by Hillcrest’s parent company, Ardent Health Services. To date, more than $265 million has been invested into Hillcrest’s facilities, equipment and people since 2004.

About Hillcrest HealthCare System
Hillcrest HealthCare System (HHS) is one of eastern Oklahoma’s leading health care providers. More than 5,000 HHS employees work each day to provide compassionate, innovative and high-quality health care in the communities they serve throughout the state. HHS is a comprehensive system comprised of Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma Heart Institute, SouthCrest Hospital, Bailey Medical Center in Owasso, Claremore Regional Hospital, Henryetta Medical Center, Cushing Regional Hospital, SouthCrest Medical Group, Northeast Oklahoma Medical Group and one of Oklahoma’s largest physician groups – Utica Park Clinic.