Washington (Pa.) Health System has joined with Pittsburgh-based UPMC to become UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene.
The two parties shared plans to affiliate in June 2023 and signed a letter of intent to bring WHS under UPMC's wing. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry also reached an agreement with WHS and UPMC in late May to help move the affiliation along.
Under the new affiliation, UPMC will invest a minimum of $300 million over a decade to improve clinical services at UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene, according to a June 1 news release from Washington Health System.
"We are elated that the affiliation is complete and look forward to starting a new chapter of collaboration with UPMC," Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene, said in the release. "This affiliation protects the vitality of an essential community asset and solidifies a healthy future for Washington and Greene counties for generations to come.”
WHS has collaborated with UPMC for more than a decade across services including oncology, pediatric specialties and heart and vascular care. UPMC will continue to invest in these collaborations and improve services like women's health, cardiology, inpatient and emergency care, outpatient services, diagnostics surgical services, and primary care.
A local board of directors will be maintained for UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene that includes 11 legacy WHS board members and five new UPMC members.
In-network access for WHS hospitals and doctors will not be affected by the affiliation for community members. Both UPMC Washington, UPMC Greene and their outpatient services will maintain existing contracts with national and regional insurers, the release said.