Gunnison (Colo.) Valley Health is in talks to acquire ownership of some of Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery's locations, a spokesperson for the practice told Becker's.
The Vail, Colo.-based practice is negotiating with the hospital to transfer ownership of its VSON Alpine locations in Gunnison and San Miguel counties. If the acquisition closes, VSON will still own and operate its Eagle, Summit and Grand County clinics.
The acquisition would also include a 70% stake in VSON's ASC, and the remaining 30% would remain with orthopedic surgeon Gloria Beim, MD, The Gunnison Country Times reported Jan. 3.
"The decision to sell VSON Alpine in Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Telluride was not made lightly," VSON CEO Chris Greenman said in a Jan. 5 statement to Becker's. "However, at the end of the day, we believe that practicing under the GVH umbrella will allow Dr. Beim more opportunities to partner with local providers and provide a continuum of care for her patients. VSON has eight orthopedic surgeons, two physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors, and one neurosurgeon operating out of Eagle, Summit and Grand Counties, all of whom understand the importance of providing large-scale services in a small-town environment. We are all united in supporting Dr. Beim, GVH and the Gunnison community are dedicated to ensuring a sale that first and foremost benefits patient care."
Discussions of the sale arose after recent legislation allowing a county hospital board of trustees to own its own property, the report said.
Note: This article was updated Jan. 5 to include details from VSON.