La Palma Hospital Sold to Vanguard

Memorial Health Services in Long Beach has agreed to sell La Palma Intercommunity Hospital to Nashville-based Vanguard Health Systems. Terms were not disclosed. Sale of the 141-bed acute-care facility should be completed in the first quarter of next year, Vanguard said. “Vanguard is committed to enhancing La Palma’s capital strength, operational efficiencies and market position in addition to building upon the quality medical staff, employees and volunteers,” said Joseph D. Moore, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the privately held health-care company.

Vanguard also owns the 219-bed West Anaheim Medical Center and the 130-bed Huntington Beach Hospital, both purchased earlier this year. In September, nonprofit Memorial Health Services acquired La Palma and 205-bed Martin Luther Hospital Anaheim from Catholic Healthcare West of San Francisco. The two acquired properties were to be merged, which would have resulted in the loss of about 500 jobs. There was also talk of closing La Palma or converting it into another kind of medical facility. However, Vanguard spokeswoman Paula Lovell said no jobs would be lost at La Palma as a result of Vanguard’s acquisition. The company also owns a hospital in Phoenix.