Chicago-area Loyola Medicine and independent Palos Health won't tie the knot, after all.
The pair said today they have agreed to end merger discussions, which were first announced in January. They're not commenting on the decision to remain separate.
A combination would have expanded the academic affiliation formed in 2015 between Maywood, Ill.-based Loyola and the Palos Heights community healthcare system. The partnership enhanced clinical services at 425-bed Palos Community Hospital and its affiliate organizations while enabling the system to remain independent.
"Both organizations note that their existing partnerships will continue and they will explore additional ways to bring more services to people in the southwest suburbs," according to a statement.
The organizations most recently collaborated on an 83,000-square-foot expansion of the Palos Health South Campus in Orland Park. Its radiation oncology and outpatient surgery centers are jointly owned by Palos and Loyola. Additionally, specialty and primary care exam rooms are staffed by Loyola doctors.
Shawn Vincent, president and CEO of Loyola, a three-hospital system owned by Catholic giant Trinity Health, said in January the potential deal was about "enhancing access to care and services."
"Loyola Medicine, Palos Health won't merge" originally appeared in Crain's Chicago Business.
