EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio -- The merger of River Valley Health Partners, operators of East Liverpool City Hospital, and Mercy Health, the Cincinnati-based nonprofit formerly Humility of Mary Health Partners, is back on, officials announced Thursday.

The intent to merge was first announced last February but was halted in June when nurses at the hospital here failed to ratify a collective bargaining agreement (READ STORY). In announcing a new "letter of intent to fully integrate with one another," hospital officials said they "worked extensively with Mercy Health to formalize another agreement" and all issues have been resolved.

"We have remained steadfast in our commitment to provide high quality health care, the needed financial stability, and health care leadership that our community deserves. The reality is that RVHP will be able to serve more patients in more ways with Mercy Health by its side," said Kenneth Cochran, RVHP President and CEO, in a prepared statement. "The community's interest has always been and will always be our top priority."

Added Pete Wicks, chairman of the board of trustees, "Our board has consistently felt that Mercy Health was the perfect partner to address the future health care needs of our community."

Over the next several weeks, Mercy Health will work with RVHP administrators, board members, and medical staff "to prepare a seamless transition which will benefit patients, physicians, and the respective communities," the announcement stated.

Pending regulatory approval and" finalization of terms," the merger is expected to take place by the end of the first quarter.

Pictured: East Liverpool City Hospital.

SOURCE: River Valley Health Partners.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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