LAPORTE — The LaPorte Regional Health System (LRHS) Board of Directors and the Clarian Health Board of Directors each approved Wednesday, June 17 the proposed purchase of Starke Memorial Hospital in Knox by LRHS.
Specifically, both entities approved a purchase agreement and the transfer of operations from LifePoint Hospitals to LRHS, and the transfer of the leased property of Starke Memorial Hospital to LRHS as well. Just the day before, the Starke County Council and Starke County Commission, which hold the building lease on Starke Memorial, unanimously supported transferring the lease to LRHS. The first approval of sale came from the Starke Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees in May. The sale and transfer are expected to close June 30.

“We are excited to become part of the Starke County community. Our goal is to regain the confidence of Starke County residents to choose Starke Memorial Hospital as their provider of choice and keep their healthcare local. We plan to work hard to strengthen Starke Memorial Hospital not only as a healthcare provider but also as a local employer in the community,” said Thor Thordarson, Interim President-CEO, LRHS.
“LaPorte Regional Health System remains committed to providing high-quality community-based care, and looks forward to extending our mission to new areas. The project is part of the organization’s overall strategic vision to become the regional healthcare system of choice, and we look forward to serving Starke County residents in this capacity,” said Robert Korfmann, chairman, LRHS Board of Directors.
Dr. Walter Fritz, chairman of the Starke Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, said employees and volunteers of the hospital are eager to work toward a smooth transition and integration into LRHS and the Clarian Health system. “Our goal is to work with an organization which shares our vision for person-centered care, and we believe we have found that in LaPorte Regional Health System. The system is known for focusing on disease prevention, education and community outreach and we are excited to see these resources extended here to Starke County,” Fritz said.
Linda Satkoski, current senior vice president of Physician Relations and Patient Care Services at LRHS, has been appointed Interim CEO at Starke Memorial while a search for a permanent leader takes place. Satkoski has more than 37 years experience in healthcare and executive leadership, with an extensive background in developing strong nursing programs and quality physician and community relationships.
“I look forward to working with the employees, physicians and community members of Starke Memorial Hospital to begin building upon the best practices of our organizations to enhance the level of healthcare available to all in the area,” Satkoski said.
As presented at the county council and commission meetings, LRHS will form a for-profit limited liability company that will become the sole operator of Starke Memorial. Later, the company will explore allowing up to 30 percent investment by individual physicians or physician entities, but will retain majority ownership and board control. Any physician or physician entity permitted to invest in Starke Memorial Hospital must be certified to meet all local, state and federal regulations for sound business practices, disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and undergo an annual compliance audit.
LaPorte Regional Health System is a partner in Clarian Health - the stateí’s largest most comprehensive health system and an acknowledged leader in quality, clinical care and research.
“We are proud to welcome Starke Memorial Hospital as a Clarian Health partner,” said Daniel F. Evans, Jr., president and CEO, Clarian Health. “Starke Memorial Hospital is joining an organization committed to pre-eminence, which means we are striving to be the best of the best in quality and patient safety. This integration will provide the residents of Starke county access to a broad range of services that will offer greater options when it comes to their health care needs.”
Integration into the Clarian Health system goes beyond just a hospital, and will offer medical expertise with Clarian and Indiana University School of Medicine’s commitment to education, research and community health. The integration also will provide the community with a resource and access to health information and screenings, and community health and education events that promote health and wellness, and encourage people to get the care they need before they need hospitalization.
“LaPorte Regional Health System has benefited greatly for the last 12 years from the shared resources, networking, physician relationships, and buying power of the Clarian Health system, while still maintaining a majority local presence on our governing board. A similar model of governance is what we wish to extend to Starke Memorial Hospital,” Satkoski said.