Two Fresno-area hospitals explore affiliation agreement, sign letter of intent
Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno is exploring a “potential affiliation” with Madera Community Hospital, the medical center confirmed late Wednesday.
Hospital staff first learned about the potential agreement through a Wednesday email sent to them on behalf of President and Chief Executive Officer Nancy Hollingsworth.
Kelley Sanchez, a spokesperson for Saint Agnes, confirmed both hospitals are working to secure the affiliation.
“Saint Agnes Health has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Madera Community Hospital to explore a potential affiliation,” Hollingsworth says in the email. “There are several steps before a final agreement can be confirmed, including a due diligence process and regulatory approvals, which could take up to several months.”
Madera Community Hospital is a general acute care, private, not-for-profit hospital with 106 inpatient beds. The hospital has expanded since its opening in 1971 and offers a wide range of health care services, according to its website.
Madera Community Hospital reported a total revenue of $90.3 million, according to its 2020 tax filing with the Internal Revenue Service. The hospital has around 800 employees.
Saint Agnes is a 436-bed acut-care hospital, with a staff of nearly 3,000. Its total operating revenue stood at $541 million for fiscal year 2020, according to hospital statistics.
Sanchez, the Saint Agnes spokesperson, sent The Bee a joint statement from both hospitals Wednesday night.
“SAH and MCH share a commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of Central Valley residents through the delivery of high quality, compassionate care,” the statements says. “As our discussions continue, we look forward to sharing more information.”
Saint Agnes is a member of Trinity Health, a not-for-profit Catholic health system that operates 92 hospitals in 22 states. Saint Agnes’ footprint in the Fresno region includes the main hospital and 21 primary, specialty and urgent care clinics, as well joint ventures with Fresno Surgical Hospital, Summit Surgery and Renaissance Surgery Center.
Madera Community Hospital, the statement says, has served the Madera community for more than 50 years.
In the email sent to staff, Hollingsworth says there aren’t many more details to share at this point, but she wanted to be transparent with them about the potential agreement.
“I know how quickly word spreads and wanted to bring you in the loop as soon as possible,” the email reads. “As our discussions with Madera Community Hospital continue, I look forward to sharing more information with you.”
This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 7:37 PM.
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