BJC Health and St. Luke’s Announce Letter of Intent to Strengthen Health Care Across St. Louis Region

Nov. 11, 2026 (Chesterfield, Mo.) — BJC Health (BJC) and St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis are pleased to announce that the organizations have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for St. Luke’s to join BJC. Bringing together an excellent community hospital with the expertise and resources of the state’s leading academic health system will increase access, create a stronger, more connected local care network for the St. Louis region, and will provide new opportunities to better serve patients.

“St. Luke’s is a trusted leader in our region with a reputation for excellence,” said Nick Barto, President and CEO of BJC Health. “Together, we will build on that foundation through our aligned clinical strengths and complementary services. Our shared goal is to expand access to differentiated, high-quality care while ensuring St. Luke’s can continue serving the growing communities of west St. Louis for generations to come.”

“St. Luke’s is a well-respected hospital, known for clinical quality, patient experience, and the personal attention given to everyone in our care,” said Andy Bagnall, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Luke’s. “At the same time, the demands of health care delivery and our communities’ needs are changing rapidly. We believe that together with BJC, we can strengthen patient care in St. Louis in ways we could not easily do on our own.”

The LOI follows a deliberate and thorough evaluation process led by St. Luke’s Board of Directors and leadership to identify the best path forward for St. Luke’s and the communities it serves.  

“For 160 years, St. Luke’s has cared for generations of families across the St. Louis region,” said Vincent Ferrari, Chairman, St. Luke’s Board of Directors. “The Board recognizes our responsibility to continue this legacy and proactively shape St. Luke’s future, and we are confident joining BJC is the way to do just that. In BJC, we have identified a partner that shares our commitment to patients and quality, respects St. Luke’s mission, culture, and identity, and values our team members and physicians.”

BJC is committed to strengthening trusted local care while providing St. Luke’s patients greater access to the depth of expertise across BJC and WashU Medicine – from primary and community-based care to highly specialized and subspecialty services. Additionally, BJC plans to support St. Luke’s with clinical technology and equipment, facility and infrastructure upgrades, and provider recruitment and retention.

In the coming months, BJC and St. Luke’s will work toward a definitive agreement and complete the required regulatory review processes. St. Luke’s patients can continue to see their providers and access services and appointments as scheduled.

About BJC Health

BJC Health is one of the largest integrated academic health care organizations in the United States and one of the largest private employer in Missouri. It serves as a driving force for economic growth, clinical excellence, and exceptional patient care throughout the Midwest and beyond. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, BJC's nearly 50,000 employees, 27 hospitals, and hundreds of clinics and service organizations, operate in two regions as BJC HealthCare in the St. Louis area (BJC East Region) and Saint Luke’s in the Kansas City area (BJC West Region). Its dedication to improving urban, suburban, and rural communities across Missouri, southern Illinois, and eastern Kansas is supported by more than $1.5 billion in annual community investment. BJC’s long-standing affiliation with nationally renowned WashU Medicine powers its academic mission in the East, most notably at U.S. News & World Report ranked Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital; as well as at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the state of Missouri. In the West Region, Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City serves as a primary training site for University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. BJC is consistently recognized as a great place to work, from Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces to Forbes’ list of Best Large Employers.

About St. Luke’s

St. Luke's Hospital is a nationally recognized, independent, non-profit health care system. Renowned for its exceptional quality and patient satisfaction, St. Luke's has consistently earned prestigious awards and accolades. Since its establishment in 1866, St. Luke's has evolved into an advanced network of care. Its 493-bed hospital in Chesterfield, MO serves as a hub for its 60+ specialties and 30 locations throughout the greater St. Louis area.

St. Luke’s Media Contact:
Kelly Webb-Little
314-576-2376
[email protected]

BJC Health’s Media Contact:
Laura High
618-304-7854
[email protected]