Penn State Milton S. Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center and PinnacleHealth in Harrisburg, Pa., announced they are looking into expanding their "strategic relationship."
The organizations did not disclose what type of transaction — merger, acquisition, joint venture or other — they are pursuing. They are in the process of hiring a third-party firm to help with the options.
Penn State Hershey and PinnacleHealth are already partners in several areas. They are joint venture partners in the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, a 74-bed teaching and research hospitals focused on mental health. PinnacleHealth's hospitals also serve as a training site for Penn State Hershey residents, fellows and medical students. Penn State Hershey includes the Penn State College of Medicine.
Officials said any potential collaboration will be focused on improving access to care and increasing the quality and scope of services in the area, according to the news release. Penn State Hershey and PinnacleHealth are expected to reach a deal by March 2014.
PinnacleHealth is also in the process of affiliating with J.C. Blair Health System based in Huntingdon, Pa.
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