TOPEKA (KSNT) – The University of Kansas Health System is taking complete ownership of a Topeka hospital.
Officials with the University of Kansas Health System announced in a press release on Sept. 29 that it has signed an agreement with Ardent Health to acquire complete ownership of the St. Francis campus in Topeka. This also includes other affiliated health care locations in the Capital City.
This follows a joint partnership that has lasted for almost a decade. The University of Kansas Health System will, under the new ownership structure, take up all operational responsibilities and clinical functions that used to be managed by Ardent Health.
“As St. Francis enters this exciting new era, we will continue to focus on what matters most: expanding access to exceptional care, supporting our local workforce and improving the health of the communities we serve,” said Bob Page, CEO of The University of Kansas Health System. “This transition is aligned with our initial commitment to sustain and grow the hospital and clinics in service to future generations.”
Patients will not experience disruptions to care and will be able to access the services and providers following the closing of the deal, which is slated to happen later this year. Health officials said Ardent Health will remain involved in daily activities on campus over the course of the coming days to ensure the continuation of existing projects for the benefit of patients and staff.
Kansas records more than 200 tuberculosis cases in 2026: KDHE
“We’re proud of what this partnership has made possible for St. Francis and the Topeka community,” said Dave Caspers, president and CEO of Ardent Health. “We regularly evaluate our portfolio to ensure we’re focusing our resources where our operating model, scale and capabilities can have the greatest impact and create long-term value. This transition reflects that approach, while positioning St. Francis to become more fully integrated with Kansas’s largest academic health system. We look forward to supporting a thoughtful transition and to seeing St. Francis continue to thrive.”
Staff with The University of Kansas Health System said patients will have greater access to an extensive network of care that brings together expert medicinal practices and local care.
For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf
