“Altru has a deep commitment to the communities we serve, and this agreement reflects our shared vision with CommonSpirit for the future of healthcare in North Dakota,” Altru CEO Todd Forkel said in a release announcing the deal. The Grand Forks Herald reported Wednesday that the Grand Forks-based health system has signed a “definitive agreement” with CommonSpirit Health, pushing forward a plan to acquire CHI St. Alexius hospitals in Bismarck, Turtle Lake and Garrison.
Pending regulatory review and what are described as “customary closing conditions,” the transaction is expected to close in early 2027. The acquisition would bring the three west-central North Dakota facilities into the Altru network, marking a step in a period of expansion for the system. Altru moved into its new $500 million hospital in Grand Forks in early 2025 and officially completed the acquisition of the CHI St. Alexius hospital in Devils Lake in March 2026.
The deal represents a consolidation in North Dakota healthcare, uniting facilities that serve communities spread across more than 75 miles. Turtle Lake sits approximately 61 miles directly north of Bismarck, while Garrison lies about 75 miles northwest of the state capital. By bringing Bismarck—the state capital and a major medical hub—into its network alongside the smaller Turtle Lake and Garrison facilities, Altru positions itself to coordinate care across a broad geographic area.
Preserving a 140-Year Catholic Legacy
Unlike the Devils Lake facility, which Altru removed from the Catholic registry after acquiring it earlier this year, the three new hospitals will maintain their affiliation with the Catholic faith. The agreement creates an association unique under the Altru umbrella, with the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery continuing their sponsorship of the Bismarck, Garrison and Turtle Lake facilities.
“St. Alexius has a rich history rooted in the Benedictine tradition of compassionate care of the sick, welcoming all as Christ and caring for the needs of our communities,” said Sister Nicole Kunze, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. “As we continue our sponsorship of St. Alexius, we are encouraged by our shared commitment with Altru to honor that legacy and preserve the Catholic identity and mission that have guided this ministry for generations.”
Altru President Joshua Deere explained in July that the three central North Dakota hospitals differ from Devils Lake because they are specifically sponsored by the sisters. “They would be part of the organization and would actually be sponsoring the Catholicity of the three hospitals and care delivery,” Deere said at the time. “They certainly would have influence and input into the mission of the organization and how we would move forward with caring for our patients.”
Forkel said the goal throughout the process has been to “ensure this move truly strengthens care for Bismarck, Garrison and Turtle Lake in addition to the communities we already serve.” He added that Altru looks forward to “welcoming the St. Alexius team to Altru, and working together to strengthen access to high-quality care while honoring the mission and values that have guided St. Alexius for more than 140 years.”
Eight Months from Announcement to Agreement
The process publicly began in January when Altru leaders announced their intent to “explore a potential agreement” to acquire the hospitals. That was followed by a period of due diligence that Forkel described as a time “to evaluate clinical quality, financial stability and cultural alignment.” In July, the Herald reported that the Altru Health System Board of Directors had voted to continue pursuing the acquisition, signaling the board’s confidence in the deal’s strategic value.
CommonSpirit Health, the current owner, expressed strong support for the transition. “This agreement represents an important step toward ensuring strong, sustainable healthcare for the communities served by CHI St. Alexius Health,” said Tim Bricker, president of CommonSpirit Health’s Central Region. “Through our work together over the years, we’ve developed tremendous confidence in Altru’s commitment to high-quality, compassionate care. We believe Altru is the right partner to build on St. Alexius’ proud legacy, honor its Catholic mission and continue serving patients and families for generations to come.”
The Wednesday release noted that the signing does not change current patient care or day-to-day operations. Both organizations will continue planning for an orderly transition and will share additional information as the transaction moves toward closing. For the residents of Bismarck, Turtle Lake and Garrison, the 140-year legacy of St. Alexius moves one step closer to a new chapter under Altru’s expanding network, with the Catholic identity intact.
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