East Stroudsburg, Pa.-based Pocono Health System and Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pa., have signed a letter of intent to merge.
The merger would build on the two organizations' long history of working together in certain clinical areas.
"We believe that the residents of the Poconos region will greatly benefit from the merger of these two longstanding, high-quality healthcare systems," said Pocono Health System President and CEO Jeff Snyder.
Brian Nester, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Health Network, shared Mr. Snyder's excitement about the deal. "We look forward to developing with PMC a hospital of the future that incorporates the highest level of clinical competence to provide the highest quality care close to home," said Mr. Nester.
The merger, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to take effect in the first half of 2016.