Jameson Health System and UPMC Merge to Officially Form UPMC Jameson

• As of May 1, 2016, UPMC Jameson is officially established.
• UPMC will invest $75 million to develop services and facilities in Lawrence County with an additional $10 million earmarked for strategic physician recruitment.
• Lawrence County will advance on the cutting edge in health care technology and quality assurance with local access to world-class UPMC.
• A regionally coordinated approach to health care for Lawrence and Mercer counties delivered through UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon will ensure local access to comprehensive services aligned to the needs of the region.

Jameson Health System (Jameson) and UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) are pleased to announce that on May 1, 2016 Jameson merged into the UPMC network. UPMC Jameson now is officially established to deliver world-class health care for the residents of Lawrence County and its surrounding communities.

“The strongest solution for a healthy future for our communities has been achieved through our proud affiliation with UPMC,” said Doug Danko, president, UPMC Jameson. “After more than a year-long process requiring perseverance and commitment to the highest interests of area residents, this positive outcome is a credit to the determination of our Board of Directors and the support that we have received from our community.”

An arbitration decision in January paved the way by which Jameson and UPMC could merge following successful completion of a Consent Decree addressing the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s concerns about the transaction.

UPMC will invest $75 million to develop services and facilities in Lawrence County and provide an additional $10 million dedicated to physician recruitment for expansion of clinical advancements in the region.

Furthermore, the UPMC merger services all of Jameson’s debt, secures all employee pensions, and assures that it remains a vibrant acute care facility offering advanced services locally now and into the future.

“The outstanding clinical, educational and technological resources of UPMC will benefit health care outcomes throughout this entire region,” said Frank Mindicino, vice-chairman, UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon Boards of Directors. “UPMC, UPMC Horizon and UPMC Jameson will collaborate to grow and develop the best plan for services aligned to Mercer and Lawrence counties’ health care priorities and needs.”

UPMC is a world-class academic medical center and is consistently ranked in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report annual Honor Roll of America’s Best Hospitals.

“Our nationwide search proved that UPMC is the single best-qualified partner to fulfill all requirements set forth by Jameson’s Board of Directors,” said Steven Warner, chairman, UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon Boards of Directors. “We owe a debt of gratitude to Doug Danko for his vigilance in helping to achieve none other than the strongest outcome for Lawrence County. We are elated that a long-term future of world-class health care has been solidified for our region.”

Both Jameson and UPMC have a long history of providing high-quality, responsive and cost-effective care.

“We are pleased to begin executing our strategic vision for the region,” said Dave Martin, senior vice president, hospital division, UPMC. “A plan is being developed for both UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon to expand service offerings and it will incorporate results of physician manpower, community health needs and facilities studies to identify and prioritize developments to continually advance patient care services, access and outcomes within Lawrence and Mercer counties.”

The combined governance of UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon will result in a regionally coordinated approach to maximize efficiencies and align resources to deliver a comprehensive complement of specialized health care services locally for the Lawrence-Mercer region.

“We are excited to expand our physician and clinical care teams with new career opportunities resulting in job growth for the local economy,” said Danko. “I am proud of the dedication of our engaged medical staff and loyal employees who provide exceptional health care to our neighbors. Together, we celebrate this victory of preservation and growth of a vital community asset and our premier local health care delivery system—now with a new name: UPMC Jameson.”

Danko added, “We are now positioned to become stronger than ever.”