Buffalo, N.Y.-based Kaleida Health and Eastern Niagara Hospital plan to affiliate under an "active parent" model.
Here are six things to know.
1. As part of the proposed agreement, ENH will join Kaleida.
2. Kaleida will become the active parent of ENH sites in Lockport and Newfane, N.Y., ENH Ambulatory Care Center/Lockport Imaging Center and the Western New York Occupational Health Center in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
3. The arrangement is described as a "strengthened relationship" rather than a merger. The ENH board will have an advisory role while Kaleida's board will have ultimate authority for ENH, officials said.
4. Kaleida and ENH leaders spoke highly of the proposed agreement in a statement, saying it will benefit their organizations, communities and patients.
5. The arrangement is not a done deal. While it has been approved by both organizations' boards, it must still be approved by the New York State Department of Health. That process is expected to take about six months, officials said.
6. In the meantime, officials said Kaleida will support ENH as it builds a new 21,000-square-foot, $8.2 million emergency department at its Lockport site.