Another step has been taken in West Virginia University Medicine's entry into Western Pennsylvania.
The West Virginia University Health System and Independence Health system announced Tuesday they've signed a definitive agreement that will lead to WVU Health system acquiring Independence Health.
Independence Health is comprised of Butler, Westmoreland, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Memorial Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925.
Independence is the third-largest health system in Western Pennsylvania with more than 1,000 physicians and nearly 7,000 employees.
Those figures will soon be part of the WVU Health System, which is already comprised of 25 hospitals and $7 billion in total operating revenues.
The deal is expected to close in late September or early October, pending any remaining regulatory approvals.
