Dive Brief:
- WellStar Health System of Marietta, GA, has suddenly called off merger discussions with Emory Healthcare.
- WellStar says it plans to move in another strategic direction and will continue to look for another partner.
- In a statement, Emory University said it "regrets" that the discussions have ended.
Dive Insight:
In April, the boards of both Emory and WellStar approved a resolution to begin creation of a "unified health system". The two organizations then entered into what was supposed to be a year-long planning peiod until WellStar abruptly decided to remain independent. "WellStar has declined to enter the next stage of discussions with Emory University," Gary Miller, chair of WellStar's Board of Trustees, said in a statement. Brown also said that WellStar "will accelerate multiple horizontal and vertical integration opportunities with other potential partners."
WellStar is also making some changes at the executive level. On July 1, WellStar President and Chief Operating Officer Candice Saunders will become the company's new CEO and its current CEO, Reynold Jennings, will move to the position of chief strategy officer.