For the 21st time, Northwell just got bigger.
The New Hyde Park-based healthcare system completed its merger with Connecticut-based Nuvance Health in early May. This is the 21st expansion Northwell has made since its founding in 1997.
“This is one of the biggest moments in the history of Northwell Health,” said Jason Molinet, Northwell’s principal for media relations. “It started as North Shore University Hospital, which then merged with Long Island Jewish Medical Center. From there, it slowly expanded, hospital by hospital over the years.”
Northwell has had a legacy of merging with other hospital systems, primarily in the New York metropolitan area, continuously increasing its reach since it opened its doors. This is the health system’s first significant expansion into Connecticut. Now, the combined system serves a population of over 13 million and has increased its presence in the Hudson Valley.
“[This] marks a commitment to the future of health care in the region,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health, in a statement. “This partnership opens a new and exciting chapter for Northwell Health and Nuvance Health to take patient care and services to an even higher level.”
The merger has added seven additional hospitals and nearly 200 practices to Northwell’s count. Now, the system has 28 hospitals with a combined $22.6 billion operating budget, over 104,000 employees, a network of 22,000 nurses and 13,500 providers. The system is now also home to more than 1,050 ambulatory care and 73 urgent care locations.
Northwell patients won’t experience any changes in how they access care due to the merger. They will, however, now be able to receive care at all former Nuvance locations.
Northwell will invest $1 billion into Nuvance hospitals as part of the merger agreement to support their operations and infrastructure.
John M. Murphy, president and CEO of Nuvance Health, said merging with Northwell supports the company’s mission of providing high-quality care to its patients.
“Joining forces with Northwell Health strengthens our ability to meet the evolving needs of patients and ensures we can provide exceptional care for generations to come,” Murphy said. “This is a transformative moment for our patients, employees and the communities we serve.”
Dowling emphasized the mutually beneficial nature of the merger.
“We already had similar missions in providing high-quality care for patients in the communities we serve, and we look forward to building on the world-class care that Nuvance Health’s staff members and providers deliver every day,” Dowling said of the two health systems. “We’re excited to move forward, united in our vision to transform health care and build a healthier future for the residents of Connecticut and New York.”
Northwell will continue to fully integrate Nuvance hospitals into its system over the coming months.
