RVHP, HMHP to merge
Staff report
River Valley Health Partners, which operates East Liverpool Hospital, will merge with Humility of Mary Health Partners, the area’s leading health-care employer.
The health-care providers announced the signing of a letter of intent to fully integrate services by the summer.
RVHP officials said the agreement followed an “exhaustive” search by the board of trustees, according to a news release.
“We have been looking diligently for a long-term organizational partner that will provide high quality health care to our community, needed financial stability, and health- care leadership in times of great challenge. The reality is that RVHP will be able to serve more patients in more ways with HMHP by its side,” said Kenneth Cochran, RVHP president and CEO.
HMHP is part of Catholic Health Partners, Ohio’s largest health care system. While RVHP does not have a religious sponsor, Peter Wicks, chair of RVHP’s board of trustees, said HMHP’s mission is consistent with RVHP’s values.
“If operational changes are required during this transition – whether for religious purposes or otherwise — the board of trustees and administrators are committed to sharing and managing the changes as effectively as possible,” Wicks said in the statement.
As a part of the agreement, the RVHP board of trustees will establish the RVHP Healthcare Foundation to serve poor and underserved populations. It is expected to be operational by the end of 2014.