Humility of Mary Health Partners, a three-hospital system based in Youngstown, Ohio, and River Valley Health Partners in East Liverpool, Ohio, have signed a letter of intent to merge.
RVHP, which operates East Liverpool City Hospital, has been searching for a partner for several months. The secular RVHP chose HMHP, which is a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Catholic Health Partners, due to the organization's core values and financial stability.
Pete Wicks, board of trustees chair for RVHP, said although the hospital does not have a religious sponsor, officials are "committed to sharing and managing the [operational] changes as effectively as possible," according to a news release.
Both parties will now conduct due diligence, with the hopes of signing a definitive merger deal by this summer.
In October, East Liverpool City Hospital reduced its workforce through early retirement packages and administrative cuts in an effort to reduce operating costs.
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