Hillcrest sells SouthCrest

(Tulsa-AP) -- The Hillcrest Healthcare System is selling its 50 percent share of SouthCrest Hospital in Tulsa to Dallas-based Triad. <br><br>Triad has owned the other 50 percent of SouthCrest and will

Tuesday, January 2nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- The Hillcrest Healthcare System is selling its 50 percent share of SouthCrest Hospital in Tulsa to Dallas-based Triad.

Triad has owned the other 50 percent of SouthCrest and will pay Hillcrest 44 (m) million dollars to become the sole owner.

A Triad spokeswoman says SouthCrest's name, employees and policy will not change.

The sale is part of Hillcrest's plan to pay down 39 (m) million dollars in short term debt.

The independent debt-rating company Moody's recently downgraded Hillcrest's rating to just above bankruptcy.

Hillcrest officials are also lobbying the state Legislature for 20 (m) million dollars a year for medical education costs and treatment of indigent patients.