Day 4: WakeMed's bid for Rex spurs public relations battle

2009

Dec. 7: Wake Heart cardiology practice signs an agreement to negotiate exclusively with WakeMed.

2010

June 15: Rex applies to the state to build a heart center to consolidate its services in a five-story tower.
Aug. 17: Dale Jenkins and Jim Hyler, members of Rex’s board of directors, meet with Billie Redmond and Tom Oxholm, members of WakeMed’s board of directors.
Aug. 20: Wake Heart doctors send a letter to WakeMed administrators saying they want to be relieved of their non-disclosure agreement.
Late August: A Wake Heart doctor talks with Rex Hospital CEO David Strong about the possibility that Wake Heart could affiliate with Rex and UNC.
Sept. 7: A Wake Heart doctor tells a WakeMed administrator that Wake Heart has decided to remain independent.
Sept. 13: Rex officials hold their first negotiation meeting with Wake Heart doctors.
Sept. 28: Wake Heart strikes a tentative deal with UNC/Rex.
Oct. 15: Wake Heart doctors tell WakeMed leaders that they are affiliating with UNC and Rex.
Oct. 22-23: WakeMed’s board meets for a retreat and first explores the possibility of trying to buy Rex.
Oct. 29: The state approves Rex’s application for a $132 million heart and vascular center.
Nov. 29: WakeMed appeals Rex’s approval.
Dec. 21: WakeMed and Rex board leaders meet to discuss hard feelings. WakeMed CEO Bill Atkinson and UNC Health Care CEO Bill Roper exchange words.

2011

March 12: Roper and Atkinson meet to discuss their differences.
April 5: Roper and Atkinson meet again.
April 15: Rex revises its application for a larger, $278 million heart center, which will include operating rooms, beds and an emergency department focused on treating heart patients. Wake Heart doctors submit letters in support.
May 10: WakeMed’s board meets one last time to review details of their bid for Rex.
May 12: WakeMed’s board sends a letter to Tom Ross, president of the UNC system, offering to buy Rex for $750 million.
June 20: The state holds public hearings on Rex’s new heart tower application. Michael Zellinger, managing partner for Wake Heart, says that Wake Heart has already shifted, and will continue to shift, its patients from WakeMed to Rex in the coming years.
Aug. 26: The UNC board declines the offer to buy Rex.
Sept. 22: Roper testifies before a House committee considering the sale of Rex Hospital that Rex is vital to UNC’s mission.
Sept. 27: Regulators approve Rex’s request to expand cardiovascular services and build a 50-bed hospital in Holly Springs. WakeMed appeals.
Nov. 4: Board members from UNC Healthcare and WakeMed begin meeting to seek a resolution. Meetings have continued since.