(UNDATED) - Beacon Health System has completed its acquisition of Ascension Southwest Michigan.

Beacon officials say this significant milestone expands the reach of their locally owned and governed nonprofit health system and strengthens their ability to serve communities across Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. 

Beacon now operates four additional hospitals, 35 outpatient clinics and an ambulatory surgery center in Southwest Michigan. These hospitals include Beacon Kalamazoo (formerly Borgess), a 422 bed acute care hospital, along with Beacon Allegan (formerly Borgess Allegan), Beacon Dowagiac (formerly Borgess Lee) and Beacon Plainwell (formerly Borgess Pipp). 

Beacon announced the definitive agreement to acquire these facilities in April. The completed acquisition brings more than 2,700 associates, including 259 providers, into the Beacon family. 

Kreg Gruber, Beacon’s Chief Executive Officer says this marks an important new chapter as Beacon comes together, and they couldn’t be more excited about what they will be able to accomplish as one unified team dedicated to serving their communities.

The acquisition gives southwest Michigan patients greater access to Beacon’s specialized services close to home. Beacon also becomes a partner with Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, home to more than 240 residents and fellows in 14 programs, enhancing the health system’s commitment to medical education and training.

This acquisition strengthens Beacon’s ability to recruit top talent and provide career opportunities for associates while expanding access to high-quality, affordable care across the region. Patients will benefit from additional specialists, enhanced resources and coordinated care throughout the expanded health system. 

Because of this acquisition, Beacon will hold a community forum. Entitled “Report To The Community” the forum will center on the results of Beacon’s community health needs assessment, as well as details of Beacon’s planned next steps.

The forum is set for July 17 from 2 PM to 3 PM at the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Office, 1110 Hill Street in Three Rivers.