Chicago Health Systems to Merge

Suburban Chicago's Delnor Health System and Central DuPage Health have announced plans to merge and create a single, integrated health system.

The two systems have signed a memorandum of understand, and will undergo due diligence over the next several months, with the hope of expanding and broadening healthcare services for Chicago's western suburbs. The final agreement is subject to government approval.

"This relationship holds such great potential for making healthcare even better for our patients, physicians and staff at a time of unprecedented change in the industry," said Thomas L. Wright, president/CEO of 159-bed Delnor Hospital, in Geneva, IL, in a joint media release. "The two hospitals have a deep respect for one another's teams of highly talented professionals, dedication to innovation and track records in providing high quality care. Further collaboration will strengthen our ability to provide exceptional levels of clinical care and become more responsive to the new requirements of healthcare reform, while also delivering an extraordinary patient experience."

Luke McGuinness, president and CEO of CDH, which includes the flagship 313-bed Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL, said the merger would: "build on the momentum of our respective investments in primary care, specialty care and advancement of the destination service lines at both campuses. Together, Delnor and CDH will build a health system synonymous with efficient, high quality, advanced care in the communities we serve."

The memorandum of understanding names McGuinness CEO of the new health system, but he and Wright will continue to oversee their respective hospitals through the due diligence process. Wright will continue as both president of Delnor and as an executive leader of the new health system. The new health system would be governed by a board of directors with equal representation from Delnor's and CDH's current boards.