CHRISTUS Health announces intent to sell former Santa Rosa Medical Center to University Health

Following a unanimous vote of the Bexar County Hospital District Board of Managers last night, CHRISTUS Health and University Health today announced immediate plans to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with the intent of transferring the ownership of the former CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – Medical Center to University Health. This strategic transaction reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality care in the region.

As the only remaining nonprofit health care systems in Bexar County, CHRISTUS Health and University Health are uniquely positioned to ensure the hospital campus continues to serve the community with a mission-driven approach.

CHRISTUS Health, an international faith-based health system, and University Health, a public hospital district and regional trauma center, operate under different models but share a common purpose: to prioritize quality care and improve access for those most in need. Both CHRISTUS and University Health have expanded their care services across the fast-growing region with a focus on equity, access and innovation.

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System serves 2.3 million people in Bexar, Comal and Hays counties. It closed Medical Center in April, consolidating care into nearby CHRISTUS hospitals, which are growing and adding services. Over the past five years, CHRISTUS has invested $300 million in hospital expansion, ambulatory facilities and a wider network of employed physicians.

Ernie Sadau, president and CEO of CHRISTUS Health:
"CHRISTUS Health has proudly served San Antonio for over 150 years, and so it was important for us to find a buyer that shares our vision for the community and the region. This transition ensures that the facility continues to meet the needs of area residents with the same spirit of compassion and excellence that CHRISTUS is known for.”

University Health is in the midst of a $1.5 billion strategic expansion program to provide care closer to home for more Bexar County residents, and meet the needs of South Texas’ growing population. The program includes construction of two 5-story hospitals on the South and North East sides of our community. Both are on schedule to open in early 2027. Additionally, two public health and multi-specialty health centers – on the East and South sides – will open this fall. 

Edward Banos, president and CEO of University Health:
"The location and size of the CHRISTUS Medical Center property, and the timing of this opportunity could not be better as we are experiencing unprecedented growth in patient volumes. Acquiring this 45-acre hospital campus will help decompress University Hospital, and provide convenient parking and easy access for our patients in need of advanced specialty care and diagnostic services. Expanding our footprint in the Medical Center also strengthens our ability to recruit and retain top medical experts to care for our community.

Ed Banos will provide an overview of the purchase of the CHRISTUS Medical Center property as part of University Health’s annual tax rate presentation to the Bexar County Commissioners Court on August 5. University Health currently has sufficient funding for the acquisition of this property and will not require a tax rate increase.

Peter Sakai, Bexar County Judge

“This is wonderful news for our community, and I could not be more pleased and proud to see the leadership of these two outstanding health organizations come together to ensure the legacy of this campus continues. The acquisition of this campus is a game-changing opportunity for our hospital district to expand access to care, strategically, with the best interests of patients at the forefront, and with a goal of truly improving the good health of this community.”

The planned sale of CHRISTUS Medical Center, a 4-story, 236,000-square-foot acute care hospital built in 1986, also includes two owned medical buildings. The transaction is expected to be completed by late September or early October, with University Health announcing plans for the campus and service offerings in the coming months.