MORGANTOWN – Mon Health System and CAMC Health System have signed a letter of intent to create a new single health care system operating under the umbrella name Vandalia Health.
They said in their Thursday announcement that the combined health system will endeavor to:
- strengthen and expand the scope and scale of care available for patients and families, while managing health care costs;
- advance a seamless continuum of care that improves access for the respective West Virginia communities each party serves.
Both systems recognize the opportunity to enhance the ease of access and quality of medical care in the respective geographic regions that they serve, they said.
“The history and tradition of our respective hospitals, and the renowned clinical providers in our communities, will help propel the success of this partnership,” said Mon Health President and CEO David Goldberg. “We look forward to working together to expand access to highest quality, affordable care for West Virginians, close to home.”
CAMC Health System President and CEO David L. Ramsey said, “Combining the strengths and unique attributes of two established and well-regarded health systems advances the best interests of West Virginia patients and families whose lives and well-being depend upon our services.”
Charleston Area Medical Center and Mon Health both have community roots dating back 100 years, they said. The new Vandalia brand highlights the new arrangement while permitting each facility to maintain its unique historical identity.
The names of the various facilities won’t change, Goldberg said. They will determine where they integrate the Vandalia name into the name brand architecture. “But the names that the communities know will be the names that remain.”
The organizations will file for a Certificate of Need (CON) with the state Health Care Authority on April 15 and plan to close the transaction as soon as possible after the receipt of all necessary regulatory and governance approvals.
Goldberg said they hope tot have the final application in by the end of April, and pending no issues they hope to close the transaction with the CON by the end of June.
Mon Health System operates four hospitals and various primary care and specialty clinics and facilities and employs about 3,800 to 3,900 people. CAMC also operates four hospitals along with primary care and specialty clinics and facilities and employs about 8,300.
Once the merger is finalized, Goldberg said, as they integrate there will be efficiencies in IT and finance teams and such areas.
Vandalia will have a new 15 member board with five from Mon Health and 10 from CAMC. Goldberg will be Vandalia executive vice president and remain president and CEO of Mon Health System. Ramsey will be Vandalia president and president and CEO of CAMC system.
Goldberg said, “Today is a bright day for the state of West Virginia. We’re taking two strong, well regarded, quality-led, community-led health systems to form a new health system to be able to improve outcomes, reduce costs, improve access and be a state leader in health care delivery.”
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