PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In an effort to maintain the “long-term vitality of patient care throughout the mid-Willamette Valley,” two Oregon health systems are planning to merge.
On Monday, Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics announced it has signed a definitive agreement to join forces with the nearby Santiam Hospital & Clinics. The Salem-based nonprofit system currently offers hospitals in both Salem and Dallas, and several clinics throughout Marion, Polk, Benton, Lincoln and Yamhill counties. The other nonprofit system treats more than 40,000 patients across its hospital and about a dozen clinics primarily located in Stayton.
Both entities have already partnered on local initiatives like free screenings and the Marion-Polk Community Health Improvement Plan, according to Salem Health President and CEO Cheryl Nester Wolfe. The proposed merger is estimated to help them continue operations amid the “significant financial headwinds” the medical industry has faced due to factors like inflation and a lack of health care funding…