Report: Jefferson and Philadelphia University to Merge
Thomas Jefferson University and Philadelphia University put out a curious press release on Thursday morning, saying the two organizations signed a letter-of-intent “to pursue integration of the two organizations.”
But the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the two organizations will merge.
Representatives from Jefferson and Philadelphia University declined to offer any additional information. A press conference is set for 3 p.m. on Thursday.
“Both universities view the opportunity as a first step toward a combination that will drive innovation in health, science, architecture, design, fashion, business and engineering,” the Philadelphia University/Jefferson statement said.
The Inquirer reports that the deal is set to close at the end of June and that Philadelphia University’s name won’t change during a three-year transition period.
They certainly make strange bedfellows as colleges just don’t tend to merge with health care organizations all that much.
Jefferson has been particularly merger-happy in the past year. In May, it finalized a merger deal with Abington Health. Then in October it announced plans to merge with Aria Health which is in charge of three local hospitals.
More on this story as it develops.
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