US-based non-profit healthcare organisations Northwell Health and Nuvance Health have officially merged to create a unified regional healthcare system.
By merging, the two organisations aim to improve care services for patients in New York and Connecticut.
The new system will collectively provide care for more than 13 million individuals, operating with a total annual budget of $22.6bn.
It includes a workforce of more than 104,000, alongside 22,000 nursing staff and 13,500 medical professionals.
The combined healthcare network includes 28 hospitals distributed across the region, with the group also managing more than 1,050 outpatient care sites and 73 walk-in centres.
Northwell and Nuvance said their key priorities include raising the standard of care, promoting community wellbeing, encouraging innovation and retaining skilled healthcare staff.
Northwell Health president and CEO Michael Dowling said: “Today marks a commitment to the future of healthcare in the region.
“This partnership opens a new and exciting chapter for Northwell Health and Nuvance Health to take patient care and services to an even higher level.
“We already had similar missions in providing high-quality care for patients in the communities we serve, and we look forward to building on the world-class care that Nuvance Health’s staff members and providers deliver every day.”
Health authorities and legal offices in New York and Connecticut gave approvals for the merger, which was then endorsed by both institutions' governing boards.
As part of the arrangement, Northwell will allocate a minimum of $1bn to Nuvance's facilities.
Nuvance Health president and CEO John Murphy said: “At Nuvance Health, we have always been deeply committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to our communities
“Joining forces with Northwell Health strengthens our ability to meet the evolving needs of patients and ensures we can provide exceptional care for generations to come.
“This is a transformative moment for our patients, employees and the communities we serve.”
