Then there was one.

The state’s largest city now has just one hospital.

Huntsville Hospital Health System has entered into an agreement to purchase Crestwood Medical Center for $450 million, HH Health and Community Health Systems announced Tuesday. Crestwood is a subsidiary of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems.

According to the agreement, CHS would sell substantially all of the assets of the 180-bed Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville, the Crestwood free-standing emergency department in Harvest, and other associated assets, including outpatient services and clinics and certain ambulatory interests.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of this year, subject to closing conditions, according to CHS.

Jeff Samz, president and CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System, said the acquisition reinforces HH Health’s commitment to the community and to building a stronger healthcare network in the Huntsville region.

“Through this acquisition, Huntsville Hospital Health System is continuing to invest in the specific health care needs of our patients and community and in our employees,” Samz said.

“HH Health has served this community for more than a century.

“We are committed to building on this legacy and continuing to invest in local access to high-quality, compassionate care.”

Crestwood Medical Center will continue normal operations through the completion of the acquisition, with no immediate changes to patient care, medical staff privileges or services.

“We are confident that HH Health will amplify the significant benefits that can be realized with locally-coordinated care in Huntsville,” said Justin Serrano, CEO of Crestwood Medical Center. “This is a great opportunity for our patients and the community.”

Huntsville is growing rapidly with a nearly 16% population increase in just the last five years, the HHS release said.

“As our community continues to grow, we listen carefully to patient experiences and expectations,” Samz said. “Our community wants and deserves options for more locally coordinated services and care.

“Acquiring Crestwood allows us to coordinate and align healthcare resources across the community.”

The transaction is among the additional potential divestitures discussed on CHS’s third quarter 2025 earnings call and in subsequent public appearances, CHS officials said.

Huntsville Hospital provided the following Q&A

What does this mean for me as a patient?
Patients will continue receiving the same high-quality care from the providers they know and trust, and should keep all scheduled appointments as planned. Our goal is to make it easier for patients to access the excellent care they need, when and where they need it.
Do I need to do anything different for my upcoming appointment or procedure?
No. Your upcoming appointment or procedure will not be impacted.
Will Crestwood Medical Center remain open?
Yes. Crestwood Medical Center will remain open and continue caring for patients now, and when it becomes a part of HH Health.
Does this mean HH Health is now the only health care provider in Huntsville? What does that mean for patient choice?
Patients can continue to choose Crestwood providers and services with confidence that the hospital is locally owned, responsive to their needs and dedicated to providing excellent care. HH Health has grown because of our dedication to providing high-quality care and listening and responding to the needs of our patients, staff and providers. That commitment remains unchanged, and adding Crestwood to HH Health means we can do more to enhance capacity and access to important health care services.
Will converting Crestwood to nonprofit status impact the quality of services?
Our goal is to make it easier for patients to access the excellent care they need, when and where they need it, and to elevate the level of care and services in the community. Within the nonprofit HH Health system, Crestwood will be operated as a locally-owned and governed hospital, backed by a system with a proven legacy of reinvesting resources locally, committed to supporting providers and programs that meet the unique needs of our community.
Why is Huntsville Hospital Health System acquiring Crestwood Medical Center?
Crestwood Medical Center is an important part of our community. By bringing Crestwood into the HH Health family, we can better coordinate services, maintain local access to care, and address growing capacity needs in the region. Huntsville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and this step helps ensure our health care system grows alongside our community, keeping care close to home and locally owned.
How will this help with capacity at HH Health and Crestwood Medical Center?
By coming together, HH Health and Crestwood will be better positioned to manage patient capacity and improve access to care, especially in high-demand areas such as Emergency and Maternity services. This step allows us to share resources, coordinate services more effectively, and provide a more seamless experience for patients.
What are other potential benefits of this acquisition?
Beyond the benefits of expanded capacity and access, this combination creates opportunities to better coordinate local EMS services, move toward a unified electronic medical record across the region, strengthen clinician training and recruitment, and expand workforce development and training opportunities for employees.
Will HH Health continue working on its other community investments now that it’s acquiring Crestwood?
Yes. All previously announced and planned capital projects will continue. This includes the $150 million bed tower expansion underway at HH Health’s Madison Street hospital, two free-standing emergency departments planned in Madison County, expansion of the Madison Hospital emergency department and imaging center, and new operating rooms at Athens-Limestone Hospital. In addition, previously announced compensation adjustments for HH Health employees remain underway, as well as customary merit pay increases.
What will this mean for existing community partnerships?
This transition will help strengthen and expand community partnerships. Ongoing programs with local nonprofit partners will continue, as well as training partnerships with local K-12 schools, community colleges and universities. We anticipate that clinician training and residency programs will continue to grow to ensure we continue to address community needs.
What happens next?
You will not notice much difference in the services provided by Crestwood Medical Center and HH Health today. Leaders from both organizations will continue working through details of the closing process, with the goal of completing the acquisition early in the second quarter of 2026. Integration planning is underway, and additional details will be shared as decisions are made and timing becomes clearer.
What does this announcement mean for employees today?
Employees at Crestwood Medical Center will work for HH Health in a similar manner as they work for CHS today. Employees can expect general operations to remain the same, as well as pay and benefits to remain comparable. We’re committed to keeping employees informed and supported throughout the process.
What does this mean for physicians and providers?
Physicians and providers will continue to care for patients as they do today. HH Health has deep roots in this community and long-standing relationships with local physicians. We look forward to welcoming Crestwood-affiliated physicians into the HH Health family. We share a common goal of providing high-quality, locally coordinated care to our communities.
Will there be changes to leadership roles or organizational structure?
We expect minimal leadership or organizational changes. As integration planning continues, we will share updates and decisions as they are made.
How quickly will changes occur?
Integration planning is underway, but most changes will occur only after the acquisition is completed. Crestwood Medical Center employees will continue working as usual while we plan for a thoughtful and smooth transition to HH Health employment.