LAVONIA, Ga. (AP) _ Athens-based St. Mary’s Health Care System has acquired Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center in Lavonia.

The Athens Banner Herald (http://bit.ly/1RXn0tA ) reports the system said in a news release Friday the Lavonia hospital will now be called St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital. The acquisition became effective Monday.

St. Mary’s and its parent organization, Trinity Health, are paying $12.9 million for the 56-bed hospital, its Certificate of Need, grounds and certain related services. Sacred Heart Hospital will continue providing the hospital-based inpatient and outpatient services provided by Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center.

Founded in 1906, St. Mary’s became a Catholic hospital in 1938 and today is part of Trinity Health, with more than 80 hospitals from coast to coast.

Planning is underway for a blessing ceremony and celebration later this summer.