Norton-LifePoint joint venture acquires Ind. hospital

A joint venture between Norton Healthcare and LifePoint Hospitals has finalized its acquisition of 25-bed Scott Memorial Hospital, Scottsburg, Ind., according to a news release.

The partners plan to invest $3 million in Scott Memorial over the next five years, including outlays for technology and physician recruitment. The joint venture between not-for-profit Louisville, Ky.-based Norton and for-profit Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint is called the Regional Health Network of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Norton will serve as the clinical partner, while LifePoint will serve as the managing partner.

“We are pleased that Scott Memorial Hospital is the first hospital to join the Regional Health Network of Kentucky and Southern Indiana,” said LifePoint Chairman and CEO William Carpenter III in the release. “We see great opportunities to enhance the care provided in this region. We are excited to partner with Scott Memorial to expand the hospital's services to meet the needs of the community and make investments in new technology, physician recruitment and other key areas that will help strengthen its operations.”

Officials first announced the deal in May. All Scott Memorial employees were offered employment and services will remain the same, pending the technology and staffing changes, according to the release.