AGRANGEVILLE – Health Quest Systems based in Lagrangeville and Western Connecticut Health Network headquartered in Danbury have entered into an agreement to merge.
Once approved by both states, which is expected by early 2019, the new entity will unite their seven hospitals and serve 1.5 million residents with 2,600 physicians and more than 12,000 employees across the twin-state area.
The two organizations will retain their individual identities for the time being.
The combined systems will continue to operate as a non-profit entity, meaning they will continue to see all patients that come through their doors.
Dr. John Murphy, president and CEO of Western Connecticut Health Network, will become CEO of the combine group. Robert Friedberg, president and CEO of Health Quest, will serve as president.
“The combined health system will help bring new programs and services to our communities,” said Friedberg. “As we establish this new health system it will allow us to look at how to elevate the level of care in both areas and increase amount of access. It will help us recruit more physicians and providers into the region. It will give us, certainly from the synergies, the resources to continue to reinvest strongly into the communities and improve the level of health care that is being provided.”
“Sharing similar missions and values, our organizations are uniting to create an expanded, patient-centered health system that accelerates the change from sick-care to wellness,” said Murphy.
The seven hospitals the new system will include are:
Danbury Hospital in Danbury, CT
New Milford Hospital in New Milford, CT
Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY
Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, CT
Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, NY
Sharon Hospital in Sharon, CT
Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro said the merger “will provide our residents with better access to innovative healthcare options and the high-quality care with which they’ve become accustomed, all within close proximity.”
