PRMC and Delaware’s Nanticoke Health Services announce affiliation

SALISBURY, Md. – Peninsula Regional Health System (PRHS) and Delaware’s Nanticoke Health Services (NHS) announced, on Monday, that they will be joining forces.

The announcement comes after NHS conducted an “in-depth, 18-month-long search process”.  According to a release, PRHS and NHS are, “exploring integration and how best to provide and enhance care”.

“Over the past 18 months, the Nanticoke Health Services Board of Directors evaluated multiple organizations and concluded Peninsula Regional is well equipped to help us accomplish this goal. Additionally, we share a similar culture and commitment to community. Combined, our two organizations will create a strong healthcare system for the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Steve Rose, RN, MN, President and CEO of Nanticoke Health Services.

Nanticoke Health Services has been in Sussex County since 1952 and currently includes a 99-bed inpatient unit, outpatient diagnostic and therapy services. NHS also includes the Nanticoke Physician Network, made up of more than 60 employed physicians and healthcare providers in Sussex County.

“For more than 65 years, Nanticoke’s singular mission has been to provide for the healthcare needs of the western Sussex communities. This mission has not and will not change. However, we recognize that healthcare is rapidly evolving. Building a stronger healthcare system will be necessary to continue to provide quality care for patients and to enhance what the Nanticoke team and our community have built together,” said Rose.

According to Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC), the next step in the process is signing a letter of intent which would create specific details on the agreement.

Salisbury’s PRMC is a subsidiary of the PRHS. PRMC was established in 1897, has 288 acute care beds, is the 8th largest hospital in Maryland, as well as the region’s largest, most advanced healthcare facility.

Steven Leonard, the CEO and President of PRMC told 47ABC on Monday, “The idea of both of our institutions coming together to really collaborate on how to best perform and how to best serve the community, especially in Sussex County, it’s been a work in progress and exciting that it is looking to happen.”

For more information about Peninsula Regional, visit www.peninsula.org.

For more information about Nanticoke Health Services, visit www.nanticoke.org.