Jefferson, Lehigh Valley Well being Community Plan to Merge

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 employees in Jap Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

The complementary capabilities can be additional strengthened by each organizations’ educational packages and studying atmosphere, particularly of the Thomas Jefferson College, the nonprofit organizations mentioned. “This may enhance alternatives for learners to obtain scientific coaching, sufferers to take part in scientific analysis inside the community, and supply extra alternative for well being plan beneficiaries,” a press launch mentioned.   

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

“Combining Jefferson’s and LVHN’s assets will enable us to satisfy the altering wants of our numerous communities sooner, extra effectively and extra successfully. Collectively—with our mixed community of assets and websites of care, managed care experience, training and analysis capabilities—we can have the power to make vital enhancements to well being outcomes and tackle well being disparities on this area, and past, to the profit our communities, sufferers, physicians, school, employees, 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 vice chairman/chief working officer and president of the legacy Lehigh Valley Well being Community. Baligh R. Yehia, M.D., will function govt vice chairman/chief transformation officer and president of the legacy Jefferson Heath. The newly built-in Board of Trustees and management crew might be comprised of members from each programs. The specifics might be labored out within the definitive settlement.