Baptist Health, Arkansas adds community hospital in Magnolia to system
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Baptist Health, Arkansas adds community hospital in Magnolia to system In June, Baptist Health will also acquire South Arkansas Regional Hospital after being approached by the hospital. Mergers & Acquisitions By Susan Morse , Executive Editor | April 20, 2026 | 10:32 AM Photo: Vasko/Getty Images Baptist Health, Arkansas has announced a definitive agreement to add Magnolia Regional Medical Center in Magnolia, Arkansas, to its 12-hospital system.Baptist Health is expected to officially add the Magnolia community hospital on July 12 as Baptist Health Medical Center-Magnolia. The 25-bed Magnolia Regional Medical Center offers emergency care and specialized outpatient treatments.The period from April until acquisition in July will allow the opportunity to minimize disruptions to operations and help with a smooth transition, Baptist said. "We are thrilled to have Magnolia Regional join Baptist Health. While it is an extremely challenging time to operate community hospitals, we have a proven track record of operating rural hospitals successfully in Arkansas," said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. "When we are asked to help communities with their hospital, we consider the needs of that community and determine if our resources and capabilities can make it successful."This is the second acquisition announcement for Baptist Health, Arkansas in two months.In March, Baptist Health said it had reached a definitive agreement to add South Arkansas Regional Hospital in El Dorado to its system after being approached by the hospital. The merger is expected to happen on June 14.The hospital will become Baptist Health Medical Center-El Dorado. Designated as a Level III Trauma Center, the 151-bed El Dorado hospital provides inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency care, obstetrics, cardiology and orthopedics."Baptist Health was approached by South Arkansas Regional Hospital about our interest in merging their hospital into the Baptist Health system," Wells said. "It's an extremely challenging time for community hospitals, and many are looking for a healthcare system to partner with them to remain sustainable. Baptist Health continues to have a proven track record for operating rural hospitals efficiently in much needed areas of the state."Baptist Health is a large, private, not-for-profit healthcare organization based in Little Rock that, in addition to its 12 hospitals, includes a college with studies in nursing and allied health and a graduate residency program. Email the writer: [email protected] Topic: Accounting & Financial Management, Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, Community Benefit, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning