Butler Health System, Excela Health merger official
A merger between Butler Health System and Excela Health has been finalized as of Jan. 1, officially creating a new health system serving Western Pennsylvania.
The definitive agreement and other legal documentation had been submitted to the state and federal government for review, according to a Tuesday news release from Butler Health System.
The agreement includes Butler Memorial Hospital, Clarion Hospital, Frick Hospital, Latrobe Hospital and Westmoreland Hospital. The latter three hospitals are in Westmoreland County. The new health system will employ approximately 7,300 people and have more than 1,000 physicians and practitioners that serve a population of 750,000.
Ken DeFurio, former president and CEO of BHS, will be the president and CEO of the new system, while John Sphon, CEO of Excela, will retire in March. Sphon will serve in an advisory capacity at the new system for several months, and then remain a trustee for the system.
“It marks a turning point that will change the landscape of healthcare in our region for the betterment of both Excela and Butler and, most importantly, the patients we will serve together,” Sphon said.
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