FHN unveils plans to join Mercyhealth in 2026

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8 months ago

FHN unveils plans to join Mercyhealth in 2026

FREEPORT, Ill. (WIFR) – FHN leaders say the 120-year-old health system will become part of Mercyhealth, pending approval by the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.

Mercyhealth’s legal board approved the affiliation last week, and FHN says it agreed to the deal Monday. As part of the agreement, the deal is expected to close December 31. At least two of the FHN community board members will join Mercyhealth’s regional advisory board.

Under the agreement, Mercyhealth will commit $100 million in FHN over the next five years. Mercyhealth says the money will go toward major capital projects, including a new linear accelerator for the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital and a robotic surgical system, while also strengthening facilities and expanding services for the area.

Leaders say FHN’s history will be honored through the name “Mercyhealth FHN.”

During a news conference Tuesday, FHN President and CEO Mark Gridley said the decision was a proactive move to preserve and enhance patient care, expand services and upgrade facilities and technologies.

Full news conference: FHN, Mercyhealth announce plans for partnership

FHN is a 100-bed hospital with eight outpatient centers in four northwest Illinois counties. It has about 1000 employees and dozens of doctors.

Javon Bea, Mercyhealth president and CEO, says FHN’s “mission and values align closely with our own.”

Mercyhealth employs more than 7,500 people and works with more than 900 doctors throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

The announcement comes a week after FHN withdrew from a proposed deal with Beloit Health System citing financial and strategic issues. The plan would have created a 10-bed “micro-hospital” at NorthPointe in Roscoe.

Shortly after Tuesday’s news conference, Beloit Health System responded, saying it believes the move raises serious concerns about the future of healthcare access in northern Illinois.

Our community deserves the opportunity to access a full range of healthcare options. Unfortunately, Mercy’s acquisition seems to prioritize limiting access rather than expanding or enhancing care. This move follows the closure of Rockford Memorial Hospital, which has already further reduced immediate healthcare coverage for residents in our region. As previously reported, FHN supported and understood the importance of the NorthPointe Neighborhood Hospital project. Mercy Health’s acquisition of FHN has led to FHN removing themselves from the project.

We strongly oppose any actions that threaten to reduce healthcare options for our community. Our project, the NorthPointe Neighborhood Hospital, was designed to address these very needs—enhancing local access, providing timely care, and supporting the health and well-being of the patients and families we serve. Mercy’s opposition to this project undermines the progress we have made and the potential to significantly improve healthcare access for our community members.

Our community deserves choices, quality care, and immediate access to healthcare services. We will continue to advocate for these fundamental rights and work tirelessly to ensure that our residents are not left behind as healthcare providers consolidate and make strategic decisions that may limit access to essential services.

Beloit Health System remains committed to serving our community’s best interests. We will continue to pursue our goals of expanding healthcare access and will keep our community informed as we move forward.

WIFR also reached out to other Rockford-area health systems for comment, but did not hear back.

Gridley says the health systems plan to hold a public hearing at the Freeport Public Library, with a tentative date set for noon on Oct. 15.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board’s next state board meeting is set for Nov. 18.

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