BJC Health and St. Luke’s Sign Letter of Intent to Merge

The two healthcare providers said they will spend the next several months developing a definitive merger agreement and completing the required regulatory approval process.

BJC Health and St. Luke’s Hospital have signed a letter of intent to merge, bringing the St. Louis-based community hospital into Missouri’s largest health system. Announced on November 11, 2026, the proposed merger aims to improve healthcare access and strengthen local care delivery across the St. Louis region.

The two healthcare providers said they will spend the next several months developing a definitive merger agreement and completing the required regulatory approval process. During this period, St. Luke’s patients can continue receiving care from their existing physicians.

St. Luke’s said the letter of intent follows a “deliberate and thorough evaluation process” conducted by its board of directors and leadership to identify the best path forward for the hospital and the communities it serves.

Under the proposed arrangement, BJC Health plans to support St. Luke’s community-based care model while providing access to resources across its healthcare network. The support will include clinical technology and equipment, infrastructure and facility upgrades, and initiatives focused on provider recruitment and retention.

Andy Bagnall, CEO of St. Luke’s, said the healthcare provider has built its reputation on clinical quality, patient experience and personalized care.

“St. Luke’s is a well-respected hospital, known for clinical quality, patient experience and the personal attention given to everyone in our care,” said Bagnall. “At the same time, the demands of health care delivery and our communities’ needs are changing rapidly."

He added, “We believe that together with BJC, we can strengthen patient care in St. Louis in ways we could not easily do on our own.”

Nick Barto, CEO of BJC Health, described St. Luke’s as “a trusted leader in our region with a reputation for excellence.”

"Together, we will build on that foundation through our aligned clinical strengths and complementary services," Barto said. "Our shared goal is to expand access to differentiated, high-quality care while ensuring St. Luke’s can continue serving the growing communities of West St. Louis for generations to come.”

The proposed merger follows BJC HealthCare's earlier combination with Saint Luke's Health System, which created a $10 billion nonprofit health system. The latest agreement would bring St. Luke’s Hospital into BJC Health’s existing network, subject to the completion of negotiations and regulatory approvals.

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