challenge.
Hospital and healthcare system mergers, acquisitions and joint-venture partnerships may be the new normal. As healthcare continues to evolve into the complex and cost-competitive service business it is today, struggling hospitals and health systems are realizing that forging partnerships may offer the best solution to staying viable and relevant. Saint Francis Hospital in Topeka Kansas turned to Ardent Health Services and The University of Kansas Health System to explore ideas to keep this century-old community hospital open and serving the residents of western Kansas. The University of Kansas Health System, Saint Francis Campus was created and K2MD Health was retained to rebrand this important community icon.