Coral Gables-based Baptist Health South Florida and Boynton Beach, Fla.-based Bethesda Health have signed an agreement to merge following a 24-month transition period culminating on Sept. 30, 2017.
Baptist Health South Florida and Bethesda Health plan to actively collaborate over the next two years before fully affiliating on Oct. 1, 2017.
Baptist Health is a nonprofit organization that operates seven hospitals and nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities. With approximately 16,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, it's the largest healthcare organization in the region.
Bethesda Health is comprised of two nonprofit hospitals and has grown to 670 physicians and over 2,500 employees.