Deaconess’ owner strikes deal to buy Rockwood Clinic

Community Health Systems, the owner of Deaconess and Valley hospitals, said today it has struck a deal to take over Rockwood Clinic, the region’s largest health clinic. Rockwood Clinic, with about 1,000 employees, including 133 doctors, is the largest in Spokane and among the top five subspecialty clinics in Washington state. The timeline of the acquisition is unknown, but William Gilbert, Deaconess’ CEO, said today they hope the deal can be locked up by the end of the year. Dr. Kevin Sweeny, the CEO of Rockwood Clinic, said the acquisition should not have an effect on patient care.