NEW HYDE PARK – Northwell Health and Danbury-based Nuvance Health have completed an affiliation merger that creates an integrated regional health system that will enhance care for communities across greater New York and Connecticut, serving a population of more than 13 million.
The merger was facilitated under an agreed settlement the state Office of Health Strategy reached an on Tuesday, April 8 with Nuvance Health and Northwell Health. Under that agreement, three western Connecticut hospitals – Danbury Hospital (including the New Milford campus), Norwalk Hospital and Sharon Hospital – are now transferred to Northwell Health, a 21-hospital non-profit integrated care delivery system in New York.
OHS approved the proposed affiliation of the two health systems, where Northwell will invest at least $1 billion across the Nuvance hospitals in Connecticut and New York over the next five years. Nuvance Health lost over $220 million during the last two fiscal years, and projects to lose nearly $150 million during its current fiscal year, the company reported to the state in 2024 as part of its application for affiliation with Northwell.
“Today (May 6) marks a commitment to the future of healthcare in the region,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. “This partnership opens a new and exciting chapter for Northwell Health and Nuvance Health to take patient care and services to an even higher level.
“We already had similar missions in providing high-quality care for patients in the communities we serve, and we look forward to building on the world class care that Nuvance Health’s staff members and providers deliver every day.”
The New York State Department of Health and Connecticut Office of Health Strategy, along with the attorneys general of each state, approved plans for the integrated health system, which received final clearance after the board of trustees from both organizations voted to move forward.
The integrated system, with a combined $22.6 billion operating budget, now encompasses over 104,000 employees, a diverse network of 22,000 nurses and 13,500 providers at 28 hospitals, more than 1,050 ambulatory care and 73 urgent care locations.
“At Nuvance Health, we have always been deeply committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to our communities,” said Dr. John M. Murphy, president and CEO of Nuvance Health. “Joining forces with Northwell Health strengthens our ability to meet the evolving needs of patients and ensures we can provide exceptional care for generations to come. This is a transformative moment for our patients, employees and the communities we serve.”
Northwell Health Board Chair Margaret Crotty called the merger “unprecedented.”
“This is an unprecedented opportunity to build a more integrated, regionally connected health system across New York and Connecticut,” Crotty said. “It is based on our aligned commitments to expanding access to excellent care, and to recruiting and retaining the best clinical talent. The Northwell Health board is confident this new partnership will bring great value to both organizations.”
With Nuvance Health joining Northwell Health, patients will have enhanced access to coordinated care in their local communities at more than 1,050 sites across Connecticut, New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, according to a company press release. The care delivered in these sites will span the full range of ambulatory, hospital and post-acute services.
Combining Nuvance Health with the resources of Northwell Health will enable the organizations to meet the evolving, varied needs of local communities more quickly, more efficiently and more effectively, the statement added.
