At a time of accelerating scrutiny of well being system mergers, Philadelphia-based Jefferson Well being and Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Well being Community (LVHN) have signed a non-binding letter of intent to merge. 

Upon closing of a deal, the mixed system would function 30 hospitals and greater than 700 websites of care, supported by greater than 62,000 employed school, clinicians and workers in Jap Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

The complementary capabilities could be additional strengthened by each organizations’ tutorial applications and studying surroundings, particularly of the Thomas Jefferson College, the nonprofit organizations mentioned. “This can improve alternatives for learners to obtain medical coaching, sufferers to take part in medical analysis inside the community, and supply extra selection for well being plan beneficiaries,” a press launch mentioned.   

“The healthcare panorama and our communities’ wants are altering; it’s essential main programs evolve and make investments in the way forward for care and wellness—rising and defending entry to enhanced, reasonably priced, high-quality and progressive care, significantly for traditionally underserved sufferers,” mentioned Joseph Cacchione, M.D., CEO of Jefferson, in a press release.

“Combining Jefferson’s and LVHN’s assets will enable us to fulfill the altering wants of our various communities sooner, extra effectively and extra successfully. Collectively—with our mixed community of assets and websites of care, managed care experience, schooling and analysis capabilities—we can have the flexibility to make vital enhancements to well being outcomes and deal with well being disparities on this area, and past, to the profit our communities, sufferers, physicians, school, workers, college students and well being plan members.”


Upon the closing of the transaction, Jefferson’s Cacchione will proceed to function CEO of the Jefferson Enterprise. LVHN President and CEO Brian Nester, D.O., M.B.A., will function govt vp/chief working officer and president of the legacy Lehigh Valley Well being Community. Baligh R. Yehia, M.D., will function govt vp/chief transformation officer and president of the legacy Jefferson Heath. The newly built-in Board of Trustees and management crew will probably be comprised of members from each programs. The specifics will probably be labored out within the definitive settlement.