Jameson Health System, a single hospital system in New Castle, Pa., has merged with Pittsburgh-based UPMC and changed its name to UPMC Jameson.
The UPMC-Jameson merger has been in the works for nearly two years. The process of joining the two began in September 2014, when Jameson signed a letter of intent to merge with UPMC. They signed a definitive merger agreement last February.
The organizations had hoped the deal would be approved by the state attorney general and close last spring, but the decision was delayed due to antitrust concerns. The transaction was issued another setback last August, when the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office recommended Jameson look for other buyers before finalizing the deal with UPMC due to the potential antitrust issues associated with the deal. In January, the state attorney general said she would not oppose the proposed merger.
Under the final agreement, UPMC will take over Jameson's pension obligations and make capital improvements at the hospital over the next two years. UPMC will also dedicate $10 million to physician recruitment in the region.
UPMC Jameson President Doug Danko expressed excitement about the transaction.
"The strongest solution for a healthy future for our communities has been achieved through our proud affiliation with UPMC," he said. "We are now positioned to become stronger than ever."
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