Community Health Systems, Inc. announced today the execution of a definitive agreement to acquire Cherokee Baptist Medical Center from Baptist Health System in Birmingham, Alabama. Cherokee Baptist is licensed for 60 beds and is the sole acute-care hospital in the community. In addition, Community Health Systems will acquire DeKalb Baptist Medical Center in Fort Payne.

“We are very pleased to add both of these facilities to our system of quality hospitals,” said Wayne T. Smith, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Systems, Inc. “We look forward to working with the dedicated employees and licensed professionals in both of these Alabama communities.”



Beth O’Brien, President and CEO of Baptist Health said, “We are very pleased with the outcome of this transaction and are confident it will mean continued, high-quality care for the communities the hospitals serve. Baptist Health System has enjoyed a very positive relationship with both the Cherokee County Health Care Authority and the DeKalb County Hospital Association and I would like to thank them for their leadership as we have worked through this transition.”

“This is an exciting and historic day in our proud history,” said Peter Selman, President of Cherokee/DeKalb Baptist Medical Centers. “This agreement with Community Health Systems is a positive move for our hospitals and our communities.”



Located in the Nashville, Tennessee, suburb of Brentwood, Community Health Systems is a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in non-urban communities throughout the country. Through its subsidiaries, the Company currently owns, leases or operates 71 hospitals in 21 states. Its hospitals offer a broad range of inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services. Shares in Community Health Systems, Inc. are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CYH.