Walla Walla, Wash.-based Providence St. Mary Medical Center has entered into a transfer of membership agreement with Walla Walla (Wash.) General Hospital, according to the Tri-City Herald.
The two facilities signed the letter of intent agreement March 30. The organizations will integrate under a "transfer of membership." Once the organizations merge, ownership of WWG will transfer from Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health to Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health & Services, which operates Providence St. Mary Medical Center, according to the report.
Providence agreed to allocate $14 million during a 24-year period into a restricted fund to be used in Walla Walla to "continue to promote the Adventist Health mission" once the transaction is complete. Officials said there will be no immediate changes in staffing or patient care "for the foreseeable future," according to the report. All projects and services scheduled to be completed or performed will continue as planned.
Officials expect to complete the transaction by early July.