Allegheny Health Network and Heritage Valley Health System have signed an affiliation agreement.
Officials on Thursday announced the agreement, which requires government approval and will bring Heritage Valley hospitals in Sewickley and Brighton, Beaver County under the Allegheny Health Network banner.
A press conference to share details is underway with representatives from Allegheny Health Network and its parent organization, Highmark Health, as well as Heritage Valley Health System and the Heritage Valley Health System Foundation.
The addition of the Heritage Valley facilities will expand Allegheny Health Network to 16 hospitals.
“The signing of the agreement will mark a significant step forward in enhancing health care access and quality for resident of western Allegheny County, greater Beaver County and the surrounding area,” Allegheny Health Network said.
Heritage Valley has struggled as of late. In June, the system closed its Kennedy hospital. It has also faced years of declining credit ratings and operating losses, finishing last fiscal year $56 million in the red.
“Today, Heritage Valley takes a significant step forward in securing its future and strengthening its commitment to the communities we serve,” Norman Mitry, Heritage Valley Health System’s president and CEO said in a statement.
In a statement, officials said the new affiliation will lead to “significant investments” over the next 10 years but did not provide details.
The announcement comes just one day after Allegheny Health Network’s chief rival, UPMC, said it’s entering talks to acquire Trinity Health System in Eastern Ohio.
Taken together, the affiliation moves suggest the region’s two biggest players in the health care are looking west of Pittsburgh for growth.
Allegheny Health Network has about 23,000 employees and more than 2,600 doctors. Heritage valley has more than 3,300 employees and more than 600 physicians.
This story will be updated.