St. Luke's Health to Acquire Greater Houston Physicians Medical Association

Houston, TX(October 19, 2016) – St. Luke's Health (St. Luke's) announced today that it will acquire the Greater Houston Physicians Medical Association (GHPMA), a multi-specialty medical group, effective November 1. GHPMA is one of the largest private physician groups in North Houston. The agreement also includes 25 medical group clinic locations and GHPMA subsidiaries, Apollo Hospital Systems, an ambulatory surgery center, and two freestanding emergency departments.

“This is a game-changing opportunity for us to expand our network of care in North and Northwest Houston, which is rapidly growing,” said Michael H. Covert, Chief Executive Officer, St. Luke`s Health. “As we continue to expand the scope of our regional care delivery system, joining GHPMA with our existing three hospitals and freestanding ERs in this market will further position St. Luke's for long-term growth—increasing physician, primary care, and ambulatory access points to achieve effective population health.”

Since 2009, GHPMA board-certified physicians have offered medical services that focus on providing exceptional patient care throughout North and Northwest Houston. Over 100 GHPMA providers (31 PCPs, 38 Specialists, 40 APCs) will join St. Luke's. Specialties among these physicians include cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, general surgery, emergency medicine—which will complement St. Luke's current patient care offerings.

“As the health care landscape continues to evolve, we are committed to bringing the highest quality care to patients, as close to home as possible,” said James T. McDeavitt, MD, Chief Clinical Integration Officer, St. Luke's Health and Senior Vice President and Dean of Clinical Affairs, Baylor College of Medicine. “GHPMA offers a unique model of convenient one-stop locations throughout North Houston that will allow us to tremendously expand access to primary care, and improve the health of our community.”

Apollo Hospital System, which will be rebranded St. Luke's Health–Pinecroft Hospital, consists of a five-bed hospital with 16 outpatient (diagnostic, infusion, laboratory, and sleep medicine) centers. Its boutique-style environment and expect staff of medical professionals deliver comprehensive health services focused on optimal patient outcomes. The ambulatory surgery center will become St. Luke's Health Surgery Center, while the two freestanding EDs have yet to be renamed.

“We're excited to add GHPMA to our family in North Houston. This is an important partnership that will greatly benefit the community through the integration of primary and acute care services. This partnership will also strengthen St. Luke's Health's ability to care of patients wherever they need us, be it in a physician's office, in an emergency room, or in one of our hospitals,” said David G. Argueta, President, St. Luke's Health–The Woodlands, Lakeside, and Springwoods Village Hospitals. “Our patients will benefit from the addition of these local providers to our network of care, as we continue our commitment to care for our community both inside and outside the hospital setting.”

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About St. Luke's Health

St. Luke's Health, a member of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), is comprised of three markets, St. Luke's Health is home of the Texas Heart Institute (THI),  eight hospitals, eight emergency centers, Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Radiation & CyberKnife® Center, and several St. Luke's Medical Group locations throughout Greater Houston; St. Luke's Health Memorial (three hospitals and a long-term acute care facility in East Texas); and St. Joseph Health (five hospitals and several St. Joseph Medical Group locations across Brazos Valley). In addition, St. Luke's is a part of a joint venture agreement with Baylor College of Medicine®, which encompasses Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in the Texas Medical Center.  Together, St. Luke's Health, THI, and Baylor College of Medicine® are transforming health care delivery with a mission to usher in a new era of health care to create healthier communities. For more information, visit CHIStLukesHealth.org.

St. Luke's Health is a part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), one of the nation&'s largest health systems. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, CHI operates in 19 states and comprises 105 hospitals, including four academic medical centers and teaching hospitals; 30 critical-access facilities; community health services organizations; accredited nursing colleges; home health agencies; and other services that span the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care. Learn more at catholichealthinitiatives.com.