Overview
- Leaders announced a signed letter of intent on Nov. 19 for WVU to absorb Independence Health System, with operations shifting to the WVU Medicine brand in fall 2026.
- WVU committed $800 million to modernize sites such as Butler Memorial’s emergency department and Westmoreland Hospital’s campus while expanding clinical services and access.
- The transaction requires state and federal approvals and bondholder consent, and the systems have begun formal integration planning.
- Independence Health System serves more than 750,000 residents across 10 western Pennsylvania counties, with five hospitals, about 7,000 employees and over 1,000 providers.
- WVU says the affiliation will improve financial stability and care coordination through scale and its insurer Peak Health, following Independence’s 2025 workforce reductions to curb losses.