Altru to buy three Bismarck hospitals, keeping Catholic ties
The Grand Forks-based system will acquire St. Alexius facilities in Bismarck, Garrison, and Turtle Lake, a move local leaders say preserves local healthcare options.
By Samira Khalil ·
Altru Health System signed a definitive agreement on Wednesday, Nov. 4, to purchase three hospitals in western North Dakota. The Grand Forks-based organization will acquire the CommonSpirit Health St. Alexius facilities in Bismarck, Garrison, and Turtle Lake. The price of the deal has not been released.
The transaction is expected to close in early 2027 after passing regulatory review and other customary conditions. Altru first announced its intent to explore a potential agreement in January.
A central part of the deal involves Altru retaining the hospitals' affiliation with the Catholic Church. Sister Nicole Kunze, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, said in a statement that the system shares a commitment to honor the legacy of the ministry. She noted that the hospitals have a history rooted in the Benedictine tradition of compassionate care.
Brenda Nagel, president and CEO of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber Economic Development Corp, described the decision to keep the church affiliation as a major factor for the community. She said the Benedictine sisters have a long history in the region and that retaining the relationship feels like a return to the hospital's roots.
The acquisition marks Altru's first entry into a community with two competing acute-care hospitals. Bismarck is home to Sanford Medical Center, which also operates a full acute-care facility there. Nagel said the two hospitals need each other to serve the combined population of Bismarck and Mandan.
Bismarck has 78,000 residents, while Mandan has 25,000. Nagel stated that both hospitals want to partner to deliver a high level of care for the region.
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., praised the leadership of Altru CEO Todd Forkel and CommonSpirit CEO Tim Bricker. Hoeven had previously worked with both organizations during Altru's acquisition of a hospital in Devils Lake. He said the new agreement builds on that earlier collaboration to preserve hospital services in the state.
Nagel said she is hearing positive feedback from residents and employees about the change. She noted that staff are looking forward to the transition and that the community appears optimistic about having another healthcare option.
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