The provider organizations include: Advocate Trinity Hospital, Mercy Hospital & Medical Center, South Shore Hospital, and St. Bernard Hospital.
Four hospitals in South Chicago signed a nonbinding merger agreement Thursday morning, according to a press release.
The provider organizations include: Advocate Trinity Hospital, (a member of Advocate Aurora Health), Mercy Hospital & Medical Center, (a member of Trinity Health), South Shore Hospital, and St. Bernard Hospital.
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The organizations plan to form an "independent, integrated healthcare system," with each organization contributing assets to the new combined health system.
The four hospitals analyzed community health needs assessments and determined that an estimated capital investment of $1.1 billion was required to update facilities and expand service offerings.
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"Significant challenges require all stakeholders to be at the table and be part of the solution," Carol Schneider, president of Mercy Hospital & Medical Center, said in a statement. "We have a unique opportunity to come together around a common vision to serve patients in a better way that strengthens our communities."
A new leadership team, including a chief executive officer and independent board of directors comprised of representatives from each hospital, will be announced after the signing of a definitive merger agreement in mid-2020.
Jack O'Brien is the Content Team Lead and Finance Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.