Gainesville-based Northwest Georgia Health System has paused its acquisition of Longstreet Clinic, also in Gainesville, due to an unspecific number of Longstreet physicians being under investigation by the Justice Department, a spokesperson for the health system told Becker’s.
The nature of the investigation has not been disclosed.
Longstreet Clinic employs more than 200 physicians and advanced practice providers across 20 specialties in nine northeast Georgia cities.
“We have been made aware of certain investigations by the Justice Department. As a result, NGHS has paused the work to integrate Longstreet Clinic pending the results of the federal investigation,” the health system said in a statement. “At this time, it’s unclear how long the investigation will take.”
NGHS and Longstreet Clinic signed a definitive agreement for the transaction in April, with plans for the medical group to officially join the system by the end of 2025.
The two organizations have collaborated numerous times in the past, including the development of neonatal intensive care units at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville and Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton; dedicated oncology treatment centers in Braselton and Toccoa and shared Epic EHR system. The organization also co-lead HP2, clinically integrated network of Longstreet Clinic, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, Georgia Heart Institute and other independent practices in the region.
The most recent acquisition will remain paused until the federal investigation is resolved. Becker’s has reached out to Longstreet Clinic and will update this article if more information becomes available.
