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WVU Health System to Acquire Independence Health System With 2026 Rebrand

Leaders cast the deal as a community-focused path to stabilize care across western Pennsylvania.

Overview

  • Independence’s five hospitals—Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and Westmoreland—will shift to the WVU Medicine brand in fall 2026.
  • WVU will invest $800 million over five years to modernize facilities, including Butler Memorial’s emergency department and Westmoreland Hospital’s campus, and to expand clinical services.
  • The agreement covers the hospitals as well as affiliated physician groups and other subsidiaries within the Pennsylvania network.
  • Closing is subject to state and federal regulatory reviews along with bondholder consent.
  • Independence serves more than 750,000 residents with about 7,000 employees and recently eliminated over 150 jobs to address operating losses.