Houston Healthcare to Join Emory Healthcare June 1

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Houston Healthcare will officially become part of the Emory Healthcare system on June 1 after receiving final regulatory approval from the Georgia Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday.

The integration brings together Houston Healthcare’s two hospital campuses in Warner Robins and Perry with Emory’s statewide network, according to a joint news release from both organizations.

“We are excited we have reached this important milestone to bring our two organizations together,” Dr. Joon S. Lee, CEO of Emory Healthcare, said in the release.

“The unification of our two health systems will allow us to strengthen and grow our services for patients in Central Georgia, while providing continuous high-quality health care to the communities who need us most.”

Houston Healthcare serves more than 300,000 patients annually through its 282-bed hospital system, seven outpatient facilities and nine physician practices, according to the release. The organization employs 2,500 staff members and 200 physicians.

The merger process began in August 2024 when both organizations signed a Letter of Intent to explore the partnership possibility. In February 2025, the parties finalized a definitive agreement specifying the integration details.

“This new affiliation with Emory Healthcare will help us reinforce our commitment of providing exceptional care and patient-focused services in Warner Robins, Perry and the surrounding areas,” Charles G. Briscoe, president and CEO of Houston Healthcare, said in the release.

Houston Healthcare has served Houston County and Central Georgia since 1960, according to the organization.

Local businesses near the hospital campuses are already preparing for the transition. Kristin Takas, manager of Wilson’s Bakery located next to the Warner Robins hospital, said the merger will impact her daily operations.

“On a daily basis here at Wilson’s Bakery, we typically see the average LPN nurse, various nurses, especially even I mean next door is like a few feet away, and they come in for that daily doughnut,” Takas said.

The bakery has a 200-dozen donut order scheduled for the Emory opening on Monday, according to Takas.

“Usually this time of year we’re kind of on the low end on sales, but I think this is gonna help us greatly,” she said.

Community members who have watched the hospital grow over decades expressed optimism about the partnership. Renee Rhodes, a lifelong Warner Robins resident, remembered when the hospital started as a small clinic.

“I remember when they were in the hospital and my mother was one of the very first nurses for Doctor McEver and Taber that were here, and it was over on Davis Drive and it was a very small little office,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes believes the Emory partnership will benefit patients seeking specialized care.

“Well, I recently heard they Emory, you know, had bought them out, probably really crucial, I think because, Emory has a lot of things they’re discovering about cancer and other things,” she said.

The integration is structured as a membership transaction with no purchase price involved, according to previous reporting. Emory Healthcare will become the sole member of Houston Healthcare, gaining control and authority over the system.

Officials have promised no layoffs during the transition. The merger will also bring Houston Healthcare’s Epic electronic health record system upgrade, according to the organizations.

Emory Healthcare operates 10 hospitals across Georgia with 2,811 licensed patient beds, more than 3,940 physicians and 26,400 employees, according to the release.