Will Ochsner Health bid on a Singing River hospital merger? What CEO says

Ochsner Health is interested in acquiring a Mississippi hospital system that may soon be on the market.

Singing River Health System, based in Pascagoula, announced Wednesday that its Board of Trustees approved a resolution that would seek a sale or merger of the hospital system.

Singing River has three hospitals — in Pascagoula, Ocean Springs and Gulfport — and operates over 30 clinics across South Mississippi. It employs about 4,000 people.

SRHS said in its press release that it is hopeful Ochsner would place a bid during the formal offer process if it is approved on June 6 by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors. Singing River already partners with Louisiana-based Ochsner Health, which operates the hospital in Bay St. Louis.

Ochsner confirmed they expect to issue an offer for a merger when the time comes, President and CEO Warner Thomas said in an email to the Sun Herald.

“Ochsner Health is proud to have partnered with Singing River Health System for many years, improving healthcare along the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Thomas said. “...Because of our existing partnership with Singing River Health System, we look forward to engaging in the formal process, and it is our goal to enter into a long-term fully integrated relationship to continue serving the communities of the Mississippi Gulf Coast together.”

Ochsner has recently expanded operations in the South in a merger with Rush Health System that operates hospitals in Meridian and West Alabama.