Two Valley hospitals announce merger

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The operator of Saint Elizabeth Hospital is merging with the parent firm of East Liverpool City Hospital.

Humility of Mary Health Partners has entered into a letter of intent to fully integrate with River Valley Health Partners, which operates East Liverpool City Hospital.

Over the next several weeks, HMHP will work with RVHP administrators, board members, and medical staff members to prepare a transition which, according to a news release, will benefit patients, physicians, and the respective communities.

21 News sought information to clarify how the merger would benefit the community, however our calls to the HMHP media relations specialist have not been returned.

Pending regulatory approval and finalization of terms, the official merger will likely occur this summer.

As part of its decision to partner with HMHP, the RVHP Board of Trustees agreed to establish the RVHP Healthcare Foundation, which will focus on providing healthcare to the poor and under served. The RVHP Healthcare Foundation is planned to be operational by the end of 2014.

"We have been looking diligently for a long term organizational partner that will provide high quality healthcare to our community, needed financial stability, and healthcare 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," commented Kenneth Cochran, RVHP President and CEO. "The community's interest has always been and will always be our top priority."

Board of Trustees Chair Pete Wicks said, "East Liverpool City Hospital and River Valley Health Partners have evolved countless times throughout the last 100-plus years. The Board sees this partnership as the next exciting evolution in RVHP's story."

"This partnership supports our strategic effort to extend our reach in developing a network of healthcare services," said Bob Shroder, HMHP President and CEO. "We look forward to having River Valley Health Partners join our ministry. "

HMHP, the area's largest employer, is part of Catholic Health Partners, the largest healthcare system in Ohio.

"While RVHP does not have a religious sponsor, the mission, vision, and principles espoused by HMHP and CHP are absolutely consistent with RVHP's core 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," commented Wicks.

RVHP is an Ohio non-profit corporation comprised of The City Hospital Association, East Liverpool City Hospital, River Valley Physicians, LLC, Ohio Valley Home Health Services, Inc., American Community Services, Inc., and Monroe Health Corporation.

Humility of Mary Health Partners is an integrated health system located in the Youngstown/Warren area. It is a market of Catholic Health Partners (CHP) in Cincinnati, the largest health system in Ohio and one of the largest Catholic health systems in the United States.