St. Luke's Hospital moves toward merger with BJC Health. Posted: Nov 11, 2026 / 01:06 PM CST Updated: Nov 11, 2026 / 01:07 PM CST Ask FOX2NOW anything How many hospitals will the BJC Health system include after merging with St. Luke's? What reason did St. Luke's Board Chairman Vincent Ferrari give for pursuing the merger with BJC? What factors led St. Luke's Hospital to decide to merge with BJC Health? Full Summary St. Luke's Hospital and BJC Health have signed a letter of intent to merge, aiming to create a more connected healthcare network across the St. Louis region. The proposed agreement would integrate St. Luke's community-based services into BJC's larger medical system to expand access to care. ST. LOUIS - Two major St. Louis-area health care providers could soon join forces. Plans are in the works for St. Luke's Hospital to merge with BJC Health. The two providers have signed a letter of intent for St. Luke's to join BJC. In an announcement Wednesday, BJC says the agreement would combine St. Luke's community-based care with BJC's medical resources to increase access to care and create a more connected health care network across the St. Louis region. "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." "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." The tentative deal would merge St. Luke's 493-bed hospital in Chesterfield and other office and urgent care locations into BJC's 27-hospital system. In the coming months, BJC and St. Luke's will work toward a final, definitive agreement and complete the required regulatory review processes. For now, St. Luke's patients can continue seeing their doctors and keeping scheduled appointments as usual. St. Luke's leaders say the decision to pursue the agreement came after a review of the hospital's future and how to best continue serving communities.