Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health and Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health said advice from a consulting organization influenced their decision to merge, according to the Times-Republican.
Sanford Health and UnityPoint Health signed a letter of intent June 27 to combine the two systems, which will operate 76 hospitals and outpatient and long-term care services across 26 states.
"Conversations began between UnityPoint Health and Sanford Health upon the introduction of an external consulting organization that has worked on strategic and operational priorities for both health systems," UnityPoint Health officials told the Times-Republican.
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