United by a shared commitment to transforming health care, Hackensack Meridian Health and Hunterdon Health announced Monday that they have signed a letter of intent to merge Hunterdon Health into the HMH system.
Both organizations emphasized that the letter of intent is not a final agreement and that no immediate changes are planned to patient care, physician practices, employee roles, compensation or benefits.
It comes after votes by the board of trustees of both health care systems authorizing the two organizations to move forward with the exploration of a merger.
The organizations said they intend to work diligently towards a definitive agreement, one designed to enhance patient care, expand access to services, and accelerate innovation all for the benefit of their patients and communities.
Hunterdon Health — led by its flagship hospital, Hunterdon Medical Center, in Flemington — offers a full range of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic inpatient and outpatient primary and specialty care services.
Founded in 1953, its growing network of more than 30 medical practices throughout Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Warren counties continues to evolve and grow to meet the healthcare needs of the residents of central New Jersey.
The Hunterdon Medical Center Family Practice Residency Program is one of the most established family practice residency training programs in the country. The program attracts the best and brightest graduates from the finest schools worldwide, many of whom are now members of the Hunterdon Health medical staff
Hunterdon Health CEO Patrick Gavin said the merger creates lanes to improve on all of this and more.
“We believe that partnering with Hackensack Meridian Health has the potential to strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality care, invest in our workforce, expand services, and enhance the patient experience for generations to come,” he said. “The letter of intent establishes a framework for our two organizations to conduct additional due diligence and evaluate opportunities to align resources, expertise, and capabilities in support of their shared commitment to high-quality, community-based healthcare.”
Kristy Alfano, the interim President and CEO of Hunterdon Health, who will succeed Gavin when he retires June 30, said this is just step one of what could be an incredibly impactful process.
“The signing of a letter of intent marks the beginning of the next step in a thorough and lengthy process,” she said. “In the days ahead, we will remain focused on what matters most — our patients, our employees, our physicians, and our communities — as together we explore opportunities to build on our strengths and ensure that high-quality healthcare remains available close to home.”
United by a shared commitment to transforming health care, Hackensack Meridian Health and Hunterdon Health will use their shared resources, expertise, and advanced technologies to expand and support a comprehensive health care delivery system focused on health outcomes, investment in clinical research, academic and community benefit programs, and quality care that is human-centered, accessible, and affordable.
HMH CEO Bob Garrett is thrilled.
“We are so excited at the opportunity to partner with Hunterdon Health as we look to transform healthcare in the future,” he said. “We share a vision for the future of medicine — one rooted in innovation and truly patient-centered care. By coming together, we’ll be able to improve access to top-tier care, expand services and programs to the great communities that Hunterdon and HMH serve, and invest in research and technology that make it easier for patients to take control of their health. Together, we’re committed to making high-quality health care more accessible and affordable for the communities we serve.”
The leaders of the two boards also expressed optimism.
“After thoughtful deliberation, the Board concluded that signing a letter of intent with Hackensack Meridian Health is the appropriate next step to develop a long-term partnership between our two healthcare systems, based on the strong alignment we see between our two organizations,” Dr. K.C Rondello, the Chairman of the Hunterdon Health Board of Trustees, said.
“While there is much work ahead, we are excited to explore how a partnership could help us build an even stronger future for patients, caregivers, and the communities we serve.”
HMH Chair Keith Banks agreed.
“This proposed partnership with Hunterdon Health will accelerate our network’s mission to change health care for the better,” he said. “Jointly we can help improve the lives of the people in our communities. By merging our strengths, we’re building a culture focused on better patient outcomes and stronger community support. It’s an exciting step that will help us attract great talent, grow sustainably, and keep meeting the needs of our patients for years to come.”
