JFK Medical Center, an independent hospital up for sale in Edison, N.J., has several potential buyers, according to NJ Advance Media.
Barry Ostrowsky, CEO of West Orange, N.J.-based RWJ Barnabas Health, confirmed in the report that his organization is one of the suitors.
"It's a well-run, really community-focused institution," Mr. Ostrowsky told NJ Advance Media. "It already does some teaching, which is important to us. Its commitment to acute rehab and neurosciences are really part of what we believe in. It's an attractive place."
RWJ Barnabas Health, the largest health system in the state, was created earlier this year through the merger of Robert Wood Johnson Health System, which has flagship hospital campuses in New Brunswick, N.J., and Somerset, N.J., and Barnabas Health, based in Orange, N.J.
Hospital industry consultant Donald Malafronte told NJ Advance Media other suitors for JFK are Hackensack (N.J.) Meridian Health and Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health.
A spokeswoman for Hackensack Meridian declined to comment to the publication, and the publication was unable to reach an Atlantic Health spokesperson for comment.
JFK spokesman Steven Weiss did not confirm whether JFK plans to consolidate with another hospital, saying only that it was currently involved in a "process."
"JFK is in the middle of a process that is underway," Mr. Weiss said in an email Tuesday to NJ Advance Media. "It would be inappropriate to comment on the process at this time. When and if there is something to report, JFK will release information."