Two Philadelphia-based systems, Aria Health and Jefferson, which includes Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, have agreed to merge, a move expected to impact healthcare delivery and medical research in the local market.
The systems, which began discussions in October 2015, expect the transaction to close by this spring.
The announcement follows a deal in February 2015 between the Jefferson system and Abington (Pa.) Health, which now operates under the name Abington-Jefferson Health. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the largest academic medical center in Philadelphia.
Under terms of the agreement, Aria will have equal representation on the Thomas Jefferson University board, as will Abington and Jefferson.
Kathleen Kinslow, Aria Health's CEO, will be president of Jefferson Health's community hospitals, comprising Aria's three acute-care hospitals and Abington's two hospitals.