MORGANTOWN – Vandalia Health and Davis Health System announced on Thursday that they have signed a non-binding letter of intent for Davis Health System to join Vandalia Health.
Vandalia Health is a union of Mon Health System and Charleston Area Medical Center.
Davis Health System offers health care services in the Potomac Highlands region of West Virginia. It includes Davis Medical Center in Elkins, an acute care hospital like Mon Health Medical Center; and Broaddus Hospital in Philippi and Webster Memorial in Webster Springs, both critical access hosptials like Preston Memorial.
The Davis system offers a suite of specialized care, including cancer, surgical, behavioral and women’s health and long-term care.
David Goldberg, president and CEO of Mon Health System and executive vice president of Vandalia Health, said the process began a few months back when Davis and Vandalia signed a strategic alliance affiliation agreement.
The alliance was aimed at helping Davis maintain strong services and bring in services they don’t have, including strengthening nephrology, cardiology and oncology. He said discussions progressed and “it became apparent it was a great opportunity for us.”
The union will help ensure that local decision-making will continue, Goldberg said. While Vandalia has offices in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, all of its board members and management team members are West Virginians. And the union will make sure Davis is able to provide the best health care possible for its patients, with better access and timely access to specialists.
Both organizations have to complete due diligence – federal and state regulatory approvals, review of their systems to answer questions from both sides and make the merger smooth – before the transaction closes, Goldberg said.
Their intention is to come together, he said. “To come out this quick and early goes to show that both organizations are completely aligned culturally.” They focus on the communities they serve. “It makes absolute sense for Davis to be an anchor of our system.”
Davis Health President and CEO Vance Jackson said, “This announcement reassures the communities of Davis Health System that local health care will thrive and grow. Both Davis Health and Vandalia Health share a commitment to improving access and opportunities for better health across West Virginia.”
David L. Ramsey, CEO and president of Vandalia Health, said, “Davis Medical Center, Broaddus Hospital and Webster Memorial are providing critically needed services in their communities. We will be proud to help them continue that tradition, and support them with services in the region.”
Vandalia Health System has nine hospitals, more than 130 ambulatory locations, more than 11,000 employees and more than 1,200 doctors and advanced practice providers.
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