York County-based WellSpan Health and Franklin County-based Summit Health on Tuesday announced tentative plans for Summit to become part of WellSpan.
Officials of the two systems, based in York and Chambersburg, said they have signed a non-binding document outlining a permanent agreement. The next steps include the due diligence process of sharing financial and other information and obtaining government approval.
Patrick O'Donnell, the CEO of Summit, said in a news release WellSpan shares Summit's focus on high-quality, locally-based care and is "a partner who will help to take us to the next level."
The joining of the two systems would continue the local and
Summit said an affiliation with WellSpan will provide benefits including greater ability to attract doctors and other health care professionals to Franklin County, and to invest in new facilities, technology and services in Summit's service area.
Both WellSpan and Summit are non-profits. Summit said it has previously collaborated with WellSpan to expand services including radiation cancer treatment, neurology and care for stroke patients in Franklin.
Summit Health includes hospitals in Chambersburg and Waynesboro along with a network of medical practices and outpatient facilities.
WellSpan, the parent of York Hospital, has additional hospitals in several counties and about 140 patient care locations.