It’s official: Desert View Hospital sold; CEO Adams to be replaced

Desert View Hospital was sold to Universal Health Services, Inc., on Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania-based Universal Health Services announced it had completed the purchase of Desert View late in the afternoon.

“This acquisition reflects our focused efforts to invest and expand in our existing markets, and will complement the opening of our newest hospital in Henderson, Nevada later this year,” said Alan B. Miller, chief executive officer of Universal Health.

Universal Health Services owns minority stakes in six medical centers in Las Vegas under its subsidiary, Valley Health System. The group operates five medical centers - Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, Valley Hospital Medical Center, with the sixth on the way with Henderson Hospital opening in the fall.

Ken Richens, executive vice president of former Desert View owner Rural Health Group, explained the decision to sell the facility.

“Given the growing need for health care services in this area, we believe that UHS has the clinical, operational and capital capabilities to further expand and take this hospital to the next level,” Richens said.

Mark Stoddard, president of Rural Health Group, expressed his gratitude to the community for the decade it’s spent running the hospital in Pahrump.

“We at Rural Health Group feel honored to have had the opportunity to serve the health care needs of the people of Pahrump over the last 10 years and are proud to have been part of this wonderful community,” Stoddard said. “We want to especially thank the board members, staff and physicians, and all those that have supported us over the years.”

The sale of DVH coincides with the departure of CEO Kelly Adams, a source revealed. Adams’ replacement has not been made public.

Adams, who took over as CEO in August 2012, spearheaded a number of additions to the hospital, including adding a new CT Scan machine, assigning a new chief of staff, adding an off-site rehabilitation facility and most recently adding a Mercy Air station at the hospital.

Desert View, Nye County’s largest medical facility, recently celebrated its 10th year of operation in Pahrump, and offers a 25-bed hospital featuring 24-hour emergency services, rehabilitation, radiology and cardiac care. The hospital also houses the valley’s only 24-hour laboratory.

Universal Health Services, a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest hospital companies in the nation.

Universal Health Services paid $445 million in May for minority stakes of the six Las Vegas-area medical facilities ranging from 26.1 to 27.7 percent. The company also operates the Northern Nevada Medical Center in Sparks.

No cost of the Desert View acquisition was disclosed Tuesday. However, a name change was indicated in the announcement with the property referred to as Desert View Regional Medical Center.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.