UAB Medicine celebrates first anniversary of UAB St. Vincent’s acquisition

November will mark the first anniversary of St. Vincent’s joining UAB Medicine. It is one of the most significant milestones in the history of Alabama health care: UAB Medicine’s acquisition of the St. Vincent’s Health System.

The $450 million acquisition was the largest in the history of the University of Alabama System and brought five hospitals and more than 5,200 associates into the UAB Medicine family. The integration made UAB Medicine the largest health system in Alabama, with an additional 872 licensed beds across UAB St. Vincent’s five campuses.

“This first year has been about transformation, teamwork and shared purpose,” said Dawn Bulgarella, CEO of UAB Health System. “We’re taking time this month to celebrate that by recognizing the physicians, caregivers and employees who made this first year such a success. They are the heart of UAB St. Vincent’s and the driving force behind everything we’ve accomplished.”

news/images/St._Vincents_1st_Anniversary_01.jpg” alt=”” width=”450″ height=”338″ style=”margin: initial; float: none; width: 100%;” data-alt=”St. Vincents 1st Anniversary 01″/>Dawn Bulgarella, CEO of UAB Health System and Kenny Shafer, CEO of UAB St. Vincent’s BirminghamUAB St. Vincent’s has seen significant growth in key service areas over the last year. Hospital discharges have increased 6 percent, and surgical volume, obstetric deliveries and emergency visits have all grown.

“We’re treating more patients across UAB Medicine than ever before,” Bulgarella said. “Our goals were to enhance patient access, invest in our people and facilities, and expand care where people live and work. We’ve done exactly that.”

Since the acquisition, UAB Medicine has invested heavily in technology, facilities and infrastructure across UAB St. Vincent’s campuses. Improvements include upgraded imaging equipment such as new CT and MRI machines, cosmetic enhancements to patient and physician spaces, and continuing to plan for an ambulatory surgery center over the next 12 months.

Bulgarella emphasizes that, while the acquisition brought new resources and integration, it preserved the legacy and identity of the St. Vincent’s name.

“This was a coming together,” she said. “We didn’t acquire a system that needed to improve its reputation or improve its quality. St. Vincent’s has a 125-year history of exceptional care, quality and community trust. Maintaining that brand integrity was essential to us. It represents the community hospital experience that beautifully complements UAB’s academic medical center mission.”

Looking ahead, UAB Medicine will continue focusing on clinical integration, expanding services and opening additional hospital beds to meet community needs.

“The phrase we’re using this year — One Year, One Team, One Mission — reflects exactly where we are,” Bulgarella said. “We’re truly one system. Our mission is unified: to improve the health and lives of those we serve.”

The UAB Health System is the largest in the state and continues to expand its reach and impact, now operating as a nearly $7.5 billion enterprise with 133 locations serving all 67 counties in Alabama — and beyond.

The November 2024 acquisition of St. Vincent’s Hospitals increased the UAB Health System’s total bed count to 3,173. The system now includes UAB Hospital, UAB St. Vincent’s, UAB Medical West, Baptist Health in Montgomery, UAB Callahan Eye, and all associated sites of care of the owned and affiliated entities. With a workforce of more than 30,000 physicians, health care professionals and staff, UAB Health System provides care to some of Alabama’s most critically ill patients and serves almost 1.4 million unique patients. UAB promotes sustainable rural health care throughout the state by supporting associate hospitals of the UAB Health System, like Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama, Russell Medical Center, Whitfield Regional Hospital and John Paul Jones Hospital.