Berger Health System, a single-hospital system based in Circleville, Ohio, has entered formal negotiations to join Columbus-based OhioHealth, according to Columbus Business First.
The negotiations come after Berger formed a working group with local residents and elected officials in January that visited other community hospitals that joined OhioHealth.
"After extensive meetings, countless hours, and much discussion, our work group developed an aligned perspective on what is needed to retain vibrant, local healthcare for years to come," Berger Health System CEO Tim Colburn wrote in an op-ed recently published in the Circleville Herald. "Recently, we shared this perspective with OhioHealth, officially starting negotiations for Berger to become part of the OhioHealth system."
The two healthcare organizations have an established relationship. Berger Health System entered an exclusive affiliation with OhioHealth in January 2015.
The negotiations between Berger and OhioHealth are expected to continue into the fall. If the deal comes to fruition, Berger would be the 12th hospital in OhioHealth's system, according to the report.
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