Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg will change ownership as Tennessee-based Community Health Systems acquires Triad Hospitals Inc.

“It will take a period of months (to adjust). We will continue to operate as we have, serving the people of our community with quality health care,” said Wesley Medical Center spokeswoman Lisa Slay.

The $6.8 billion purchase, including $1.7 billion of existing indebtedness, will create the largest publicly traded hospital company in the U.S., according to a statement from CHS.

The combined company would own or operate 130 hospitals in 28 states, with a total bed count of more than 18,700.

CHS, based in Franklin, Tenn., owns, leases or operates 77 hospitals in 22 states and is a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in non-urban communities, the press release said.

Plano, Texas-based Triad owns and manages 54 hospitals, with one currently under construction, and 13 ambulatory surgery centers in 17 states. The company also provides hospital management, consulting and advisory services to more than 170 independent community hospitals and health systems throughout the U.S.

If approved by Triad shareholders and regulators, the deal is expected to close in the third quarter.