Prince William Health System, Novant Health finalize merger

Bennie Scarton Jr.

Jul. 2, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- It's official.

Following recent approvals by the Federal Trade Commission and the Virginia Attorney General, Prince William Health System of Manassas and Novant Health of North Carolina, announced Wednesday they have finalized an agreement to merge.

Novant has agreed to invest more than $240 million to help the health system continue to meet the increasing health care needs of western Prince William County, the population of which is projected to grow more than 20 percent in the next two years.

Both are non-profit organizations.

"Through this exciting partnership, Prince William Health System will take our delivery of quality health care to the next level by expanding access to services, creating new facilities for our rapidly growing community and enhancing job security for our valued employees," said Michael J. Schwartz, the health system's president and CEO.

Under the terms of the agreement, the system will retain its name and will continue to be governed by a board of trustees made up of local leaders with deep ties to the community.

Novant will seat one health system representative on its board, and the health system will seat one Novant representative on its board. In addition, all donations to the Health System Foundation will continue to stay within the community.

The partnership is expected to help the health system updated its critical care unit, construct a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab, recruit more than 50 new physician specialists, build a new hospital in the rapidly growing Haymarket-Gainesville area and add more private patient rooms to the Manassas hospital.

"Novant Health and Prince William Health System have joined together because we share a commitment to improving the health of our patients, especially those most in need," said Paul M. Wiles, president and CEO of Novant Health. "We enthusiastically welcome PWHS to the Novant family and are excited to help build on a longstanding tradition of providing remarkable patient care."

Prince William Hospital opened in 1974 to serve the Manassas area. Based in a region that is rapidly changing and growing, today the health system includes the now 170-bed hospital, and new and expanded facilities such as the Heathcote Health Center, Marblestone Health Center, Cancer Center at Lake Manassas and Caton Merchant House, an assisted living facility.

Novant Health is a not-for-profit integrated group of hospitals and physician practices, caring for patients and communities in North and South Carolina.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0316-36174403