Richard A. Anderson, president and CEO of Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network, said the health system's proposed merger with Lehighton, Pa.-based Blue Mountain Health System will result in nearly 1,000 job openings across the combined entity, Lehigh Valley Business reports.
The two institutions announced their intent to merge Sept. 13.
Under the proposed agreement, St. Luke's will maintain and enhance services at BMHS' campuses in Lehighton and Palmerton, Pa., and offer employment to all BMHS employees in good standing. St. Luke's will also retain members of BMHS' medical staff and assume all existing physician employee agreements, according to the report.
St. Luke's officials noted a preliminary review of the proposed merger also indicated compensation for all employees will be enhanced "in most instances," the report states.