SAN ANTONIO (July 30, 2025) — CHRISTUS Health and University Health have announced plans to transfer ownership of the former CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – Medical Center to University Health. The announcement follows a unanimous vote by the Bexar County Hospital District Board of Managers on Monday evening, authorizing both parties to enter into a purchase and sale agreement.
The agreement marks a major step in expanding access to high-quality, mission-driven care across Bexar County, and highlights a collaborative effort between two of the region’s leading nonprofit healthcare systems.
“CHRISTUS Health has proudly served San Antonio for over 150 years, and so it was important for us to find a buyer that shares our vision for the community and the region,” said Ernie Sadau, president and CEO of CHRISTUS Health. “This transition ensures that the facility continues to meet the needs of area residents with the same spirit of compassion and excellence that CHRISTUS is known for.”
The 45-acre, 236,000-square-foot acute care hospital campus, located in San Antonio’s Medical Center area, has been vacant since April, when CHRISTUS Health consolidated services into nearby facilities. As part of the sale, two additional medical buildings will also be transferred. The transaction is expected to close by late September or early October.
University Health, currently undergoing a $1.5 billion expansion, sees the acquisition as a timely and strategic addition to its growing portfolio. The health system is building two new hospitals—on the South and Northeast sides of the county—both set to open in early 2027, along with two new health centers opening this fall.
“The location and size of the CHRISTUS Medical Center property, and the timing of this opportunity could not be better,” said Edward Banos, president and CEO of University Health. “Acquiring this hospital campus will help decompress University Hospital and provide accessible, high-quality specialty care to more patients. It also strengthens our recruitment efforts for top-tier medical talent.”
The purchase will be reviewed in further detail during University Health’s annual tax rate presentation to Bexar County Commissioners Court on August 5. Officials confirmed the acquisition will be funded without requiring a tax rate increase.
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai praised the decision, stating, “This is wonderful news for our community. The acquisition of this campus is a game-changing opportunity to strategically expand access to care, with the best interests of patients at the forefront.”
CHRISTUS Health has invested $300 million over the past five years into hospital expansion, ambulatory services, and growing its physician network across Bexar, Comal, and Hays counties. The sale of the Medical Center campus aligns with its continued strategy of concentrating services into high-growth, high-demand areas.
University Health is expected to release details about future service offerings at the new campus in the coming months.