SCL Health announces intent to merge with Utah-based health organization, Intermountain Health
Both healthcare organizations are leading nonprofits coming together to build a comprehensive regional healthcare system to better serve patients, caregivers, and the community.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - In a joint press conference this morning, SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare announced their intent to merge. Officials say SCL Health has been looking into merging since before the pandemic.
The purpose of the merge is to provide patients with more affordable, high-quality, and accessible health care.
The president of St. Mary’s says they have partnerships and agreements with Intermountain Health already, so it will mainly be a change just for the community.
Officials say their goal is to have the agreement & approval finalized by the beginning of next year.
”When I think about the Grand Valley & the western slope in general, and what this merger could offer in terms of access to population health expertise, accessibility around primary care, & accessibility around new technology, this has some real potential benefits for the communities that we serve & I’m looking forward to working through that,” said St. Mary’s President Bryan Johnson.
The President of St. Mary’s says they will be keeping the St. Mary’s name and the Catholic entity but adding on Intermountain Health to most likely be called St. Mary’s Intermountain Health Care.
The two healthcare organizations were excited about the merge as they both emphasized shared values. Their goal is to provide patients with affordable, high quality, accessible healthcare.
“SCL Health and Intermountain are pursuing our merger from positions of strength,” said Lydia Jumonville, President and CEO of SCL Health. “We are two individually strong health systems that are seeking to increase care quality, accessibility, and affordability. We will advance our missions and better serve the entire region together.”
At this time, there have not been discussion on if SCL Health will adopt Intermountain Healthcare’s insurance Select Health.
A combined board will be created to oversee the merge, both current healthcare boards will nominate members to serve on the combined board. Harrison will serve as the President and CEO of the integrated governing board, while Jumonville will serve as a member on the board.
For more information about this merge, please visit sclhealth.org/intenttomerge.
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