Athens (Ga.) Regional Medical Center will be the seventh hospital to join Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare System, effective Oct. 1.
As part of the agreement, 359-bed Athens Regional will be rebranded Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. It will be the health system's second largest facility.
The organizations first began considering a potential partnership in December 2015.
"This is an exciting time for Athens Regional and those we serve. Athens Regional and Piedmont are growing better together. This community and this region will benefit from this partnership for years to come," said Charles Peck, MD, president and CEO of Athens Regional Health System.