Christus Health, a 19-hospital health system with hospitals in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico, said it has been selected to pursue a joint venture with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PDF), a university health network with two hospitals in Santiago.

The Irving, Texas-based health system said in an Oct. 1 news release that the joint venture would include the “ownership, operation and expansion of PUC's health network.”

“The partnership we create in Chile will also help us diversify our operations, increase long-term sustainability and help Christus lead the development of new, worldwide healthcare models,” said Christus Health President and CEO Ernie Sadau in a news release.

The PUC health network is made up of 11 outpatient centers, a laboratory and imaging services network, and two hospital campuses with a total of 600 beds. It also serves at the main teaching campus for the university's medical school.

The two organizations are expected to complete due diligence and negotiations within the next few months.

Christus Health is the majority owner of Grupo Christus Muguerza, a seven-hospital system in Mexico. It has operated the joint venture since 2001.