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Ardent foresees Forum growth
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
YOUNGSTOWN
Ardent Health Services says it wants to do more that just preserve bankrupt Forum Health’s three hospitals.
It wants to make them bigger and better and stronger.
Though a deal for Ardent Health to buy Forum has not been struck, negotiations have been ongoing for some time. There has been no talk about other potential buyers.
“It’s no secret that we are interested in Forum Health. Everyone wants to preserve the jobs and access to health care that Forum represents in Northeast Ohio,” said Kevin Gwin, Ardent spokesman.
He said the situation remains “fluid,” but Ardent hopes an agreement can be reached.
“We’re excited about the possibilities,” Gwin said.
Further proof of Ardent’s interest in Forum was a meeting Tuesday that David T. Vandewater, president and chief executive officer of the Tennessee-based company, requested with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th
“We appreciate the opportunity to meet with Congressman Ryan. It was good to hear of his interest in Forum Health,” Gwin said.
Ryan said he and Vandewater previously had talked, but that Ardent’s CEO wanted to meet personally. Ryan said Vandewater also has met with Forum administrators and union officials.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown also sat in on the meeting, Ryan said.
Ryan said Vandewater did not give him a timetable to get a deal done.
Ryan said, however, he urged both Ardent officials and the Forum Health Board of Trustees that if they are moving in that direction to get the deal done as soon as possible.
“There is a real opportunity now,” Ryan said. “The economy is starting to open up, and the Valley can’t afford to lose the 3,500 jobs that Forum represents.
“It is nice to know that someone of the stature of Mr. Vandewater thinks there is a lot of opportunity in the Mahoning Valley.”
Ardent has a history of working with labor unions, and there is a lot of support in the Valley to work with businesses, the congressman said.
“I think Mr. Vandewater was very impressed with the doctors and nurses and work force at Forum, and that being a second competitor in town is intriguing to him. He’s a very impressive guy who represents the kind of leadership that Forum needs,” Ryan said.
Ardent has experience working with unions and has been in talks with union leadership at Forum, Gwin said.
“I think things have gone well. The employees want the same thing we want ... for the hospitals in which they work to survive and prosper,” he said.
Gwin said Ardent’s track record with the hospitals it buys is “very positive.”
He said Ardent purchased Lovelace Healthcare Center Albuquerque, N.M., and Hillcrest Healthcare System in Tulsa, Okla. — considered broken hospitals — and made them stronger.
Forum filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on March 16, 2009. It operates Northside Medical Center in Youngstown, Trumbull Memorial in Warren and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Howland.
Gwin said Ardent is doing due diligence on a possible purchase of Forum and hopes to be part of Forum’s future.
“I think they are doing great work, but they are in bankruptcy and we want to help,” he said.