Pocono Health System and Lehigh Valley Health Network sign agreement to merge

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Pocono Health System (PHS) and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) today announced they have signed an agreement for a full-asset merger, pending regulatory approvals.

The PHS Board of Directors and LVHN Board of Trustees, in separate meetings this month, authorized the agreement.

In May, the two organizations announced they had signed a letter of intent to merge subject to due diligence, the negotiation of definitive transaction documents and approval from regulators.  Pending completion of regulatory approvals, the parties expect the proposed merger to take effect in the first half of 2016.

“This agreement takes us one step closer to realizing this merger,” said Jeff Snyder, FACHE, FHFMA, President and CEO of Pocono Health System. “It will bring continued growth and expansion in health care services for Poconos residents, providing them greater access to the highest-quality clinical care, the most sophisticated technology and advanced health records systems, and the largest and most experienced physician network in the area.”   

According to the terms in the agreement, LVHN anticipates developing with PHS a hospital of the future called Pocono Medical Center West in Pocono Township as was announced in late fall 2014 that incorporates the highest level of clinical competence to provide the highest quality care close to home.  The merged entity will also create ambulatory health centers, develop and grow essential clinical services, recruit primary care physicians and increase access to specialists. In addition, LVHN is committed to providing more integrated care to the Pocono region through population health management, which includes sharing a common electronic medical records system.

Brian Nester, DO, MBA, FACOEP, LVHN’s president and CEO, said, “Pocono Health System is a highly-valued community hospital that cares deeply for the Pocono region. We, at Lehigh Valley Health Network, commend the leadership of Pocono Health System for their exceptional oversight of this vital community asset. We applaud their accomplishments and look forward to making a great system of care even better for our communities.”

The decision to merge builds upon a historical affiliation between the two organizations. They created partnerships that enabled the creation of a Trauma Center, provision of professional services in Radiation Oncology and Interventional Radiology and collaboration to provide services for the Monroe County Community Safety Program.

 

poconohealthsystem.org