Ken DeFurio, former president and CEO of Butler Well being System, will lead the brand new group fashioned by the merger of Butler and Excela Well being, officers introduced Tuesday.

The merger was last as of January 1st.

Former CEO of Excela Well being, John Sphon, is ready to retire in March. He’ll stay within the advisory capability for a number of months earlier than serving as trustee of the brand new well being care system.

“It is a watershed second within the historical past of our respective organizations,” Suffon stated in an announcement. “It is a turning level that may change the well being care panorama in our area for each Excella and Butler, and most significantly, the sufferers we serve collectively.”

“This was an necessary step in bringing the 2 organizations collectively,” stated DeFurio. “Over the previous 12 months, each boards have invested an amazing quantity of labor, time and vitality in figuring out whether or not this merger is sensible. I look ahead to executing and discovering new alternatives.”

The merger of the 2 methods, anticipated to usher in greater than $1 billion in income, was introduced in a letter of intent on June 1. The ultimate settlement for the deal, he signed in November, has been despatched together with different paperwork to state and federal governments for overview.

The brand new system is projected to make use of roughly 7,300 folks, have greater than 1,000 medical doctors and practitioners, and serve a inhabitants of 750,000.

Sphon emphasizes {that a} merger is just not a scenario during which one group acquires one other. He stated he expects the deal will assist entice new workers members to the system and add sources to each areas.

Sphon and DeFurio stated they are going to announce particulars of the brand new system and announce its title within the coming weeks.

“You will need to emphasize {that a} merger strategy of this magnitude could be very advanced and requires a really considerate and diligent strategy,” stated DeFurio. “Now we are able to proceed to give attention to built-in governance, government constructions and different parts which might be key to offering efficient and environment friendly care.”

Excela is the most important non-public employer in Westmoreland County with roughly 4,800 workers, Butler Well being System is the most important employer in Butler County and the most important healthcare employer in Clarion County with 3,000 folks .

Excela has three hospitals all through Westmoreland County and Butler Well being System has one hospital every in Butler and Clarion Counties.

Julia Maruca is a workers author for Tribune-Assessment. Julia could be reached at her jmaruca@triblive.com.