Merger Between New Milford Hospital Group and NY Network Approved

NEW MILFORD, CT — The merger between Western Connecticut Health Network, which includes Danbury Hospital, and Health Quest, has received its final approvals from state and federal agencies.

The new health system, named Nuvance, will serve 1.5 million residents. It includes seven hospitals, more than 2,600 physicians and 12,000 employees. Projected annual revenues of the system are $2.4 billion.

In addition to Danbury Hospital, WCHN's hospitals include Norwalk and New Milford. Health Quest's hospitals include the New York-based Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, Northern Duchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, and Sharon Hospital in Sharon, CT.

Dr. John M. Murphy is the CEO of Nuvance, and Robert Friedberg is its President. Previously, Murphy served as President and CEO of WCHN and Friedberg was President and CEO of Health Quest.

"Our patients and communities are the heart of efforts to form the new health system. We are steadfastly focused on how we can improve the health and well-being of the people we passionately serve," Murphy said in a release. "Through the new integrated health system, we will be able to attract top clinical talent in order to provide even more advanced, compassionate and collaborative care."

The merger was announced a little over a year ago, but required Federal Trade Commission approval, as well as go-ahead from both Connecticut and New York state attorney generals.

Nuvance Health will remain a nonprofit organization.