Prime Healthcare has invested more than $104 million in its first year operating in Illinois, strengthening hospital operations, expanding clinical services, and preserving over 13,000 healthcare jobs while creating more than 1,000 new roles across eight facilities.
The investment follows the company’s acquisition of eight Illinois hospitals and reflects a broad strategy focused on modernizing infrastructure, improving patient care, and expanding access to critical services. The funding has supported upgrades in clinical technology, cybersecurity systems, telemedicine capabilities, and facility improvements designed to enhance long term care delivery.
As part of these efforts, the health system introduced advanced medical technologies including neurosurgical mapping tools, C arm imaging systems, and a new infusion center. It also implemented the Epic electronic medical record system to integrate care delivery across its hospitals.
A key priority has been expanding behavioral health services, including emergency psychiatric care, in response to rising demand nationwide. The hospitals have also achieved widespread Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation, ensuring specialized care for older adults and positioning the system as a leader in geriatric emergency services in Illinois.
The hospitals have received national and state recognition for quality, patient safety, and health equity from organizations such as U.S. News and World Report, Healthgrades, Forbes, the Lown Institute, and The Leapfrog Group. Several facilities earned top rankings for social responsibility, clinical outcomes, inclusivity, and pay equity.
Notable recognitions include Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston being ranked number one in Illinois and the nation for pay equity, and Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago earning the top spot in Illinois for health equity. Other hospitals across the system received high performing designations and excellence awards across multiple quality measures.
The company, which operates 54 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations across 15 states, continues to emphasize a physician led model focused on clinical excellence, health equity, and community impact. Its Illinois expansion highlights an ongoing commitment to strengthening hospitals that serve as essential resources in their communities.
As it enters its second year in the state, the organization plans to continue investing in service expansion, workforce development, and advanced clinical capabilities to meet evolving patient needs.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our hospitals are essential to the health of the communities they serve. Over the past year, we’ve invested in hospitals communities depend on, expanding services and improving access to care where it’s needed most. At a time when access is declining, we believe hospitals are worth saving and that every patient deserves high quality, compassionate care.”
Sunny Bhatia, MD, President And Chief Medical Officer, Prime Healthcare
“Our commitment extends beyond the hospital walls. It is about the families, clinicians and communities who rely on these hospitals every day, renewing hope and ensuring care is there when it is needed most. The progress made over the past year reflects a deep commitment to quality, equity, and the unwavering dedication of our staff, physicians and care teams. It shows what is possible when mission, dedication and investment come together to carry forward each hospital’s legacy, strengthen its future and bring renewed hope to the communities we serve.”
Kavitha Bhatia, MD, President And Chair, Prime Healthcare Foundation
