NorthShore, Edward-Elmhurst Health System Complete 9-Hospital Merger

NorthShore University HealthSystem and Edward-Elmhurst Health have finalized a hospital merger deal, creating the third-largest health system in Illinois, according to a recent announcement.

The nine-hospital merger will also include 300 ambulatory locations, 25,000 team members, and 6,000 physicians to serve more than 4.2 million residents across the state.

The partnership expects to surpass over $5 billion in annual revenue during the first year of operation.

Health system leaders assured consumers in the announcement that the new merger will not impact patient care experience or services. Instead, the combined health system will provide patients with increased access to a more extensive range of services.

"Our combined organization offers significant promise for our patients, team members and communities," JP Gallagher, president and CEO of NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health, said in the announcement. "As we deepen our commitment to community connection and expand regional access to leading-edge, expert care in our patients' back yards, we have the opportunity to create something truly differentiated and transformative."

Gallagher is the former president of NorthShore University HealthSystem. Current Edward-Elmhurst CEO Mary Lou Mastro will become head of the new system's Edward-Elmhurst south region.

The new system will be temporarily referred to as "NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health" as they are still in the process of branding the combined entity.

"We have so much in common – our values, our cultures and our commitment to our people," said Mastro. "I am incredibly optimistic that as we bring together two outstanding, award-winning organizations, our future is unlimited and we will be successful."

In addition to the merger, the new health system funded two community investments to support the community's economic growth and health equity.

"One of the things I'm most excited about is our mutual commitment to our communities. A prominent feature of our merger is the creation of new community investment funds. Each organization has committed $100 million to our respective communities. These funds will generate millions of dollars annually to enhance health and well-being, advance health equity and support local economic growth," Gallagher stated.