Halifax Regional, Sentara sign agreement to merge
Halifax Regional Health System (HRHS) is pleased to announce that the affiliation agreement between HRHS and Sentara Healthcare (Sentara) has been signed by both organizations.
The 31-member HRHS Board of Directors unanimously approved the agreement during their April meeting and a pre-advertised, public meeting was held April 29 as part of the required steps to complete the affiliation.
HRHS originally announced its plans to affiliate with Sentara in October 2012. Subsequently both organizations have worked together through a thorough due diligence phase. The signed agreement will now move into a 60-day regulatory review phase by the Virginia’s Attorney General. The projected closing date is July 1, 2013
The HRHS Board of Directors explored partnership and affiliation options for more than two years before deciding to affiliate with Sentara. Affiliating with Sentara will strengthen HRHS’s physician and staff recruitment and retention efforts, enhance computer and technology upgrades, facilitate clinical services expansion and quality improvement initiatives, and enable the purchase of expensive supplies and equipment at a lower cost – among many additional benefits.
“Sentara is an outstanding organization with an exceptional reputation, both in the Commonwealth and beyond,” said HRHS CEO Chris A. Lumsden. “Our Board of Directors has put countless hours studying this strategic step for Halifax Regional and we are convinced our affiliation with Sentara will be positive and yield long-term benefits to both organizations and the patients we serve each day.”