WVU Health System and Independence Health System announce plan for Independence Health System to join WVU Medicine

WVU Health System will make $800 million in investments over five
years to strengthen hospitals, expand access to care, and modernize
facilities
 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. and GREENSBURG, Pa., Nov. 19, 2025 –
The West Virginia University Health System and Independence Health System announced today their intent for Independence Health System’s five hospitals – Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and Westmoreland Hospitals – along with its affiliated physician groups, and other subsidiaries to join the WVU Health System in the fall of 2026 and operate under the WVU Medicine brand.

As part of the agreement, the WVU Health System will commit $800 million over the next five
years to modernize Independence Health System’s hospitals, including the Butler Memorial
Hospital emergency room and the Westmoreland Hospital campus; grow clinical services; and
expand access to high-quality care across the community it serves. The transaction is subject to
customary state and federal regulatory reviews, as well as bondholder consent.
 
“This is a transformational moment for our organization as we take this first, critical step toward
building a new future with a nearby health system that shares our values and is community
focused,” Ken DeFurio, president and CEO, Independence Health System, said.
“We are excited to make this announcement today in partnership with WVU Medicine, and even
more excited to have our organization become part of a progressive and innovative health
system that has a proven track record in making deep investments in its people, clinical
programs, and infrastructure.”
By joining the WVU Health System, Independence Health System will benefit from the scale,
expertise, and infrastructure of a leading regional academic health system while maintaining its
strong community focus. The integration will expand clinical services and specialty access, strengthen financial
sustainability through shared capital resourcing and efficient operations, and enhance patient
outcomes through coordinated population health strategies through Peak Health, the WVU
Health System’s affiliated health insurance organization. “I am grateful to Ken, his leadership team, and the Independence Health System board for the trust they are placing in us to ensure their five hospitals continue to serve as community pillars and beacons of hope for generations to come,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System, said. “Today marks the beginning of what I’m confident will be an exciting and rewarding journey, one grounded in our shared commitment to our mission, our patients, and the communities we serve.”
 
Independence Health System serves a large community of more than 750,000 residents across
10 counties in Western Pennsylvania. The system includes five hospitals, 7,000 employees, and
a network of more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers. “Today’s announcement marks the start of a new chapter built on shared values, deep respect and admiration for the work already being done, and a mutual commitment to the patients and families who depend on these hospitals every day,” Michael T. Benson, president of West Virginia University and chair of the WVU Health System Board of Directors, said.
“Together, we can build on that solid foundation and expand the reach of exceptional care
throughout the region.”  Paul Bacharach, chair of the Independence Health System Board of Directors, added, “WVU Medicine has clearly demonstrated to us that they are committed to high-quality community
health, with services available and accessible locally. Our vote to proceed with WVU Medicine
reflects our strong belief that this affiliation honors our legacy and positions our hospitals for
innovation, stability, and growth.” Nationally recognized for its excellence in cardiology, orthopedics, and surgical services and committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care close to home, Independence Health System partnered with WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital in January 2025 to continue to enhance neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) services at Westmoreland Hospital for Westmoreland County’s most vulnerable patients.

About Independence Health System
Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and
Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians
and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in
western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than
10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and
surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally
owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-
quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and
thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery,
women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its
network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division
further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more
at Independence.Health. 

About the WVU Health System
The West Virginia University Health System is West Virginia’s largest health system and the
state’s largest employer with more than 3,400 licensed beds, 4,600 providers, 35,000
employees, and $7 billion in total operating revenues. The Health System is comprised of 25
hospitals – including J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, an 880-bed academic medical center, and
the 150-bed WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia – and
five institutes. To learn more, visit WVUMedicine.org.