Stony Brook University Hospital and not-for-profit Southampton Hospital, both in New York state, are a step closer toward a merger that has been three years in the making. The merger is a step toward creating an accountable care organization that includes both facilities, hospital officials said.
The State University of New York Board of Trustees, which oversees Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine, voted unanimously last week to allow the merger agreement to move forward. Needed next is approval by state authorities, including the attorney general and the state comptroller.
If the merger is approved, Southampton, a community hospital, will operate under Stony Brook's New York State operating license. The state health department also will need to approve the transfer of Southampton's licensed beds to Stony Brook's license. Southampton Hospital Association will continue to employ the hospital's workforce and maintain current labor agreements.
The two hospitals have been formally affiliated since 2008. In August 2012, the hospitals signed a non-binding letter of intent to add Southampton to the Stony Brook Medicine system. Stony Brook's school of medicine already has joint clinical and academic programs with the hospital.
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