MultiCare Health System, a regional, nonprofit integrated health system headquartered in Tacoma, has announced plans to purchase the hospital and clinic assets of Auburn Regional Medical Center from Universal Health Services Inc., a corporation based in King of Prussia, Pa.
The sale is subject to regulatory review, which is expected to take place by late summer.
“We are very excited to welcome Auburn Regional Medical Center into the MultiCare network,” said Diane Cecchettini, RN, president and CEO of MultiCare. “This is great news for patients, physicians and employees. For nearly two decades, MultiCare has served South King County residents through our outpatient clinics. We will now be able to offer hospital services as well, providing a complete system of care for our patients.”
Auburn Regional Medical Center, a 213-bed hospital with 861 employees, has served the community since 1921.
Auburn Medical will become part of MultiCare’s integrated nonprofit health care system, which includes Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center, Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital and numerous outpatient clinics and specialty centers.
“(Auburn Regional Medical Center) has served the community for more than 90 years and we are pleased that this transaction will allow the community to be served by a fully-integrated health system such as MultiCare,” said Larry Coomes, CEO of Auburn Regional Medical Center. “We will work with closely with MultiCare to ensure a smooth transition for our patients, our employees and our medical staff partners. We expect the transition of ownership to be completed by the end of the summer.”
In South King County, MultiCare operates a network of primary care, specialty care and urgent care clinics in Auburn, Kent, Covington and Maple Valley, as well as the new Emergency Department that opened in April at the MultiCare Covington Medical Center. MultiCare also has plans to build a hospital in Covington.
MultiCare has more than 9,000 employees in the South Puget Sound.
