Cumberland, Md.-based Western Maryland Health System has signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Pittsburgh-based UPMC to pursue a merger.
The systems entered a clinical affiliation in February 2018. Over the next few months they will engage in further due diligence and research to reach a definitive merger agreement.
A merger would "allow WMHS to maintain clinical excellence in western Maryland and throughout the region for years to come," said Barry Ronan, president and CEO of the Maryland health system. "Since we became clinically affiliated with UPMC in 2018, we have a stronger clinical and operational position, allowing a broad range of nationally recognized care here locally for the people of Allegany County and surrounding counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia."