A hundred physicians and the Cardiovascular Hospitals of America in Wichita will take over St. Francis Liliha and St. Francis Medical Center-West after completing their due diligence in 90 days — they will examine the hospitals' finances and operations before signing a final agreement to purchase.

If all goes well, including papal and regulatory approval, the deal should be finalized by the end of the year, executives said.

St. Francis and the buyers declined to disclose the purchase price and other terms of the deal.

"Overall, their proposal best addressed the objectives of the sisters," said Eugene Tiwanak, chief foundation officer for St. Francis. "Essentially, there was a continuation of the sisters' philo to the commitment and care for patients."

Dr. Danelo Canete, past president of the Philippine Medical Association who initiated the deal with St. Francis, said "we're really excited. It will be the biggest doctor-owned and operated hospitals in the country."

Overall, there were about half a dozen bidders for St. Francis.

Known suitors include Queen's Health Systems, Kaiser Permanente Hawai'i and Hawai'i Pacific Health —operator of Straub Clinic and Hospital, Wilcox Health and Kapi'olani Health. Kaiser and HPH dropped out of the negotiations.