WellSpan Health and Evangelical Community Hospital to combine
(WHTM) — Two Central Pennsylvania health systems — WellSpan Health and the Evangelical Community Hospital– have announced their definitive agreement to combine this year.
According to the health systems’ joint-announcement, Evangelical Community Hospital will become WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital on or about July 1, 2024, pending regulatory approval.
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Evangelical Community Hospital’s accompanying network will also join WellSpan, expanding the organizations’ reach to serve more than 1.3 million patients across 12 counties in Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland.
“We recognize the shared vision WellSpan has for community-based care, and we were deliberate in the decision to choose a partner who would ensure our patients continue to receive the high quality care they have come to expect from Evangelical Community Hospital,” Kendra Aucker, president and CEO of Evangelical Community Hospital, said. “The industry is facing strong financial and workforce headwinds, and this integration will provide the best path forward, so we may continue to provide for the health and wellness needs of our communities well into the future.”
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Evangelical Community Hospital currently employs 1,900 individuals including more than 170 employed and non-employed licensed physicians on staff at its hospital.. The hospital has 131 beds and offers services in both inpatient and outpatient settings in Lycoming, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties.
With the move Evangelical is joining WellSpan’s system of more than 21,000 team members, 2,000 employed providers, 220 locations, and eight award-winning hospitals. WellSpan currently serves Adams, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, Franklin, and York counties in Pennsylvania and Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland.
“When we embarked on our journey to reimagine healthcare at WellSpan, we committed to innovation while keeping healthcare local. We’re excited to build on that commitment with Evangelical,” Roxanna Gapstur Ph.D., R.N., president and CEO of WellSpan Health said. “As the only locally-governed health system in Central Pennsylvania, our mission is focused on improving the health of our friends and neighbors. When health outcomes improve through innovative care models, strategic partnerships, and a strong sense of purpose, it creates a fantastic combination.”
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In the announcement, Aucker said the hospital’s service and role to take care of the community will not change.
“Joining an established and successful health system where quality, safety and innovation are top priorities ensures we preserve a vibrant healthcare system close to home,” added Aucker. “At the end of the day, we work for this community and our job is to care for it. With this partnership, that will not change.”
WellSpan has a history stretching over the past three decades of combining with local hospitals. Like WellSpan’s other hospital foundations, a separate philanthropic foundation will be created after this combination to provide a “community pathway for hospital support.”
“We have great respect for what Evangelical Community Hospital means to its surrounding communities and we know our mutual values of integrity and respect for all will make this a great fit,” Gapstur said.
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