Creighton University Medical Center's long-distance relationship has ended, replaced by marriage to a well-known local player.

The hospital on 30th Street became part of the Alegent Health system — now Alegent Creighton Health — at midnight.

The Creighton hospital had been associated with Tenet Healthcare, a national corporation that owns numerous hospitals. The relationship was uneasy, and the hospital failed to improve its position as a competitor in the marketplace.

Alegent now owns 10 hospitals in the area and is part owner of Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, Neb.

Creighton gives the Alegent system its first academic medical center, a place where medical students and residents train under physicians and nurses, many of whom are on the faculty at Creighton University.

“This is a really exciting time for us,” Alegent Creighton Health CEO Richard Hachten said.

Hachten answered questions late this week. He also introduced Kevin Nokels, formerly vice president and chief operating officer at Midlands Hospital in Papillion, as the Creighton med center's administrator.

Read the Omaha World-Herald's full Q&A here