TidalHealth, AGH finalize hospital merge

BERLIN, Md.- The presidents of TidalHealth and Atlantic General Hospital put pen to paper, finally solidifying a deal that’s been months in the making.

The two hospitals are merging to become TidalHealth Atlantic. TidalHealth President, Steven Leonard said now, the expansion can begin.

“Healthcare is difficult these days. It’s really challenging being any healthcare system or hospital; there are truly benefits to working together as a larger system, both for TidalHealth and for Atlantic General,” said Leonard. “It allows us to coordinate resources, and it allows us to coordinate expansion.”

To kick off the 10-month merging process, AGH will adopt the virtual EPIC system. President of AGH, Don Owrey said this will make navigating vital health records easier.

“It’s a single access point into one’s medical record, so it’s really the vital link for the patients and the various providers,” said Owrey.

Of course, you can’t have a hospital without physicians. Owrey believes under this new merge, TidalHealth Atlantic will become a more attractive hospital for future doctors to work and serve in the growing community.

“Together, I feel like we can get them here, post medical school. There’s a good likelihood that they will stay here and they will meet some of the current and future needs, and a lot of the specialties that are maybe under-served today,” said Owrey.