Athens (Ga.) Regional Health System's board of directors recently agreed to discuss a potential partnership with Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare.
The decision finalizes a non-binding letter of intent between the two organizations as well as the onset of an exclusive negotiation period.
"Piedmont demonstrated to us that they have a culture and history of putting people first," said Charles Peck, MD, president and CEO of Athens Regional. "Just like at Athens Regional, Piedmont places the patient at the center of everything they do."
Earlier this year, Piedmont added Covington, Ga.-based Newton Medical Center as the sixth hospital in its system.