MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia University Health System, WVU Medicine and Independence Health System have signed a definitive agreement that will lead to the acquisition by the WVU Health System. Pending regulatory approvals the transaction is expected to close in the fall of 2026.
Since preliminary plans were announced last fall, WVU Health System officials have worked the leadership of the Independence Health System and their five hospitals to meet regulatory requirements and finalize the agreement for the long-term strategic plan for the hospitals and services.
“This moment marks an important step toward Independence Health System joining our organization “I remain grateful to Ken DeFurio and his Board for the trust they are placing in us to ensure their hospitals remain strong and vibrant for generations to come. Our commitment to their patients, employees, and physicians, as well as the communities their hospitals serve, is to invest in the people, programs, technology, and infrastructure that will position these hospitals for long-term success,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said.
“This partnership is about preserving and expanding access to high-quality healthcare close to home. By bringing our organizations together, we can strengthen services throughout southwestern Pennsylvania while enhancing opportunities for clinical collaboration, recruitment, research, education, and specialty care access.”
The transaction includes an $800 million commitment from the WVU Health System for improvements that will include a new electronic medical record system, facility upgrades and expansions, clinical improvements, and expand access to care to patients across the region.
“This agreement secures a stronger future for our hospitals, our caregivers and the patients who depend on us,” Ken DeFurio, president and CEO of Independence Health System, said. “It brings the scale, capital, and clinical strength needed to protect local access to care and positions this region for long-term growth.”
When the transaction closes the WVU Health System will include a comprehensive network of facilities, and specialty services in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio.