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

WVU Health System will invest $800 million 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 (IHS) announced today their intent for Independence Health System’s five hospitals – Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and Westmoreland – along with affiliated physician groups and subsidiaries, to join the WVU Health System in fall 2026 and operate under the WVU Medicine brand.

As part of the agreement, the WVU Health System will commit $800 million over five years to modernize facilities, including the Butler Memorial Hospital emergency department and the Westmoreland Hospital campus. Investments will support expanded clinical services, enhanced specialty access, and improved patient experience across the communities IHS serves. The transaction is subject to standard state and federal regulatory reviews and bondholder approval.

“This is a transformational moment for our organization as we take this critical step toward building a new future with a nearby health system that shares our values and community focus,” said Ken DeFurio, president and CEO of Independence Health System. “We are excited to partner with WVU Medicine, a progressive and innovative health system with a proven track record of deep investments in its people, clinical programs, and infrastructure.”

Joining the WVU Health System will allow Independence Health System to benefit from the scale, expertise, and resources of a major regional academic health system while maintaining its strong community roots. The affiliation is expected to expand specialty care, strengthen financial sustainability through shared capital and operational efficiencies, and enhance patient outcomes through coordinated population health strategies supported by Peak Health, the WVU Health System’s affiliated insurance organization.

“I am grateful to Ken, his leadership team, and the IHS board for the trust they are placing in us to ensure their five hospitals remain community pillars for generations to come,” said Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System. “Today marks the beginning of an important and exciting journey grounded in our shared commitment to our mission, our patients, and our communities.”

Independence Health System serves 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.

“This announcement marks the start of a new chapter built on shared values and a mutual commitment to the patients and families who rely on these hospitals every day,” said Michael T. Benson, president of West Virginia University and chair of the WVU Health System Board of Directors. “Together, we can build on a strong foundation and expand exceptional care throughout the region.”

Paul Bacharach, chair of the IHS Board of Directors, added, “WVU Medicine has demonstrated its dedication to high-quality community health, with services available and accessible locally. Our decision to move forward reflects our belief that this affiliation honors our legacy while positioning our hospitals for innovation, stability, and growth.”

Independence Health System is nationally recognized for excellence in cardiology, orthopedics, and surgical services and is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. In January 2025, IHS partnered with WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital to enhance neonatal intensive care services at Westmoreland Hospital, further supporting vulnerable newborns in Westmoreland County.

About Independence Health System

Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined 925 beds. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, it is the third-largest health system in western Pennsylvania, serving a population of 750,000 across more than 10 counties.

The system includes nationally ranked tertiary programs in cardiac care and surgery and provides a full range of specialties, including cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health, emergency medicine, behavioral health, and primary care. Its outpatient centers manage more than 1.2 million visits annually, and its homecare division offers home health and hospice services. Learn more at Independence.Health.

About the WVU Health System

The West Virginia University Health System is the state’s largest health system and employer, with more than 3,400 licensed beds, 4,600 providers, 35,000 employees, and $7 billion in operating revenues. Its network includes 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. Learn more at WVUMedicine.org.