A little more than three months after announcing intent to combine, Flagler Health+ and UF Health say they have reached a definitive agreement to merge.
St. Augustine, Fla.-based Flagler Health+ will join UF Health, the University of Florida's academic health center. The health systems announced Feb. 2 they had entered into an exclusive, non-binding letter of intent to combine. In August 2022, Flagler Health+ said its board and leadership team had launched a formal effort to explore joining a "like-minded health system."
Flagler Health+ has one hospital — 335-bed Flagler Hospital. UF Health includes two acute-care hospitals in Gainesville and Jacksonville, along with a psychiatric hospital, rehab centers, home health services throughout 17 counties and more than 45 physician practices with more than 700 providers.
The definitive agreement follows the systems' formal due diligence period. The organizations note that they expect to finalize the merger this summer and integrate Flagler Health+ into UF Health "later this year."