BISMARCK (AP) - Bismarck-based St. Alexius Medical Center is aligning itself with the Catholic Health Initiatives nonprofit.
Officials announced on Wednesday that St. Alexius will become a direct affiliate of the CHI system, which is based in Colorado and has a division based in Fargo.
The deal should close by the end of the year, pending state approval. The two organizations plan to form a regional health system of hospitals and clinics in western and central North Dakota.
Catholic Health Initiatives has several facilities in the state. St. Alexius serves residents of central and western North Dakota, eastern Montana and northern South Dakota. It is associated with the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck. That will not change, and St. Alexius will retain its local board of directors.