LaPorte Regional Health System (LRHS) has completed the acquisition of Starke Memorial Hospital from LifePoint Hospitals. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We are pleased that the transaction has taken place, and we are focusing all of our efforts now on our main goal to enhance the quality of health care in Starke County and surrounding communities,” said Linda Satkoski, who has been appointed interim CEO of Starke Memorial Hospital effective today. “In preparation for this day, we have felt so welcomed by the community and we look very forward to being here.”
Satkoski, who serves as the senior vice president of Physician Relations and Patient Care Services at LRHS, will assume the interim CEO duties immediately. Anita Ivankovig, current chief nursing officer at LRHS, will cover Satkoski’s duties at LRHS during this time.
“With her expertise in developing excellent models of clinical care and building healthy relationships among hospital personnel, Linda is a natural fit to lead Starke Memorial Hospital through this transition,” said G. Thor Thordarson, president/CEO, LRHS.
Satkoski has been a part of LRHS for more than 35 years, serving as a staff nurse, head nurse, nursing supervisor and member of Patient Care Review Staff. She was named director of Inpatient Nursing Services in 1985, and then promoted to vice president of Patient Care Services 11 years later. Satkoski assumed her current position in April 2005. She received an Associate in Nursing from Purdue University North Central, a Bachelor of Science from the College of St. Francis and a Master in Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Satkoski is a member of the Northern Indiana Organization of Nurse Executives and the Indiana Association of Nurse Executives. She also is a member of the LaPorte County EMS Advisory Council and was recently appointed as the President to the Purdue University North Central Alumni Board.
As outlined in recent public and community meetings, LRHS will form a for profit limited liability company that will become the sole operator of Starke Memorial Hospital. Later, the company will explore allowing up to 30 percent investment by individual physicians or physician entities, but will retain majority ownership and board control. Any physician or physician entity permitted to invest in Starke Memorial Hospital must be certified to meet all local, state and federal regulations for sound business practices, disclose any potential conflicts of interest and undergo an annual compliance audit.
At this time, Satkoski said there are no plans to change the name of Starke Memorial Hospital, but a committee of employees may be invited to explore that process if it warrants at a later date.