Decatur, Ga.-based DeKalb Medical signed a letter of intent to form a strategic partnership with Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare Nov. 14.
With the letter of intent, the organizations will now begin working toward formulating a definitive agreement to bring DeKalb Medical under the Emory Healthcare brand.
Officials expect to finalize the partnership in 2018, pending regulatory approval.
"We are excited about the future," said Robert E. Wilson, president and CEO of DeKalb Medical. "Our community has counted on us for 56 years and we've always been here — growing to meet our community's needs. This partnership will strengthen our ability to continue to deliver high quality community-based healthcare."