CUMBERLAND, MD – The Board of Directors of Western Maryland Health System has signed a non-binding letter of intent with UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) to pursue an affiliation agreement that would integrate WMHS into the UPMC system. An affiliation would offer Allegany County, Maryland and the surrounding areas access to enhanced healthcare services, leverage UPMC’s clinical expertise and give the hospital system improved ability to recruit more top doctors to the area.

In February 2018, WMHS and UPMC joined together in a clinical affiliation to work cooperatively to enhance healthcare services for local residents. The current partnership enables WMHS to build upon its success in providing value-based care and to strengthen its ability to deliver quality care, transform care delivery and reduce the total cost of providing care in the community.

“This began as a clinical affiliation in early 2018, now we are collaborating on a shared vision to preserve high-quality healthcare services closer to home for local patients and their families,” said Leslie Davis, senior vice president of UPMC, and executive vice president and chief operating officer of UPMC’s Health Services Division.

UPMC is one of the nation’s largest and most successful integrated health systems. As both a provider and insurer, UPMC integrates 40 hospitals, 700 doctors’ offices and outpatient sites, and a 3.5 million-member Insurance Services Division, the largest medical insurer in western Pennsylvania. Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside ranks on the prestigious U.S. News & World Report annual Honor Roll of America’s Best Hospitals. 

“Western Maryland Health System is working with UPMC toward a definitive agreement to affiliate, which will allow WMHS to maintain clinical excellence in western Maryland and throughout the region for years to come,” said Barry Ronan, WMHS President and CEO. “Since we became clinically affiliated with UPMC in 2018, we have a stronger clinical and operational position allowing a broad range of nationally recognized care here locally for the people of Allegany County and surrounding counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”

Throughout the next few months, both parties will engage in additional due diligence, research, and discussions to work toward a definitive agreement. While this process is subject to customary regulatory review, hospital leaders hope to complete the affiliation this year. WMHS will keep its stakeholders and community updated as there are developments to share.