Editor's Note: The headline for this article in the Becker's Hospital Review E-newsletter on Jan. 12 stated that Penn Medicine would acquire six hospitals, which is incorrect. Penn Medicine is a six-hospital system and would become a seven-hospital system should the proposed transaction be completed.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia and Doylestown (Pa.) Health have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to explore if Doylestown will become part of Penn Medicine, a six-hospital system.
The proposed transaction would lay the foundation for the development of new clinical programs and expanded services across the greater Philadelphia region, Penn Medicine said in a Jan. 11 news release. It would also build upon existing clinical integration in cancer care between the two systems.
Doylestown Hospital, the nonprofit system's 247-bed, flagship facility, has been part of Penn Cancer Network for more than a decade. Penn Radiation Oncology at Doylestown, which provides care to more than 400 patients a year, opened in 2011.
"Our boards of trustees are excited about how this partnership with Penn Medicine will further expand Doylestown Health's ability to deliver clinical excellence and positively impact the health and well-being of the communities we have faithfully served for more than 100 years," President and CEO James Brexler said.
The health systems will work together over the next several months to reach a definitive agreement, which will then be subject to approval by federal and state regulators.