Last June, Princeton HealthCare System (PHCS) announced it was pursuing a partnership with Penn Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania’s health system. This week, the University of Pennsylvania’s Board of Trustees voted for the plan, following approval from the Penn Medicine Executive Committee and the PHCS Board. All that remains to finalize the deal is approval by state and federal authorities.

“Affiliating with the University of Pennsylvania Health System represents the best means of assuring that PHCS and its affiliates can continue to fulfill their mission and charitable objectives in the future,” said PHCS President and CEO Barry Rabner, in a press release. “When this partnership is finalized, members of our community will receive enhanced high-quality care right here, close to home, and they will enjoy the added benefit of easier access to the latest medical breakthroughs, clinical trials, cutting-edge technologies, and specialized clinical expertise right here and elsewhere in the Penn Medicine system.”

PHCS explored partnerships with 17 health systems before announcing it would join Penn Medicine. Mr. Rabner told Town Topics last July that one point in Penn’s favor was that area residents already use their services. Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine is ranked among the top five medical schools in National Institute of Health funding, while the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has been recognized repeatedly as an Honor Roll Hospital in the US News and World Report Best Hospitals ratings.

Founded in 1919 as Princeton Hospital and located on Witherspoon Street, PHCS moved to a 171-acre campus on Route 1 four years ago. Also part of the portfolio is Princeton House Behavioral Health, geared to patients with substance abuse and mental health issues. The health system offers hospice care, home care, rehabilitation, fitness services, and ambulatory surgery. PHCS employs a staff of 2,997 and has an active medical staff of 1,099 physicians.

Mr. Rabner said last summer that the partnership with Penn could lead, eventually, to an expansion of the Plainsboro complex. But the focus, initially, will be on things like ambulatory care and expanded clinical capabilities.

Penn Medicine is a $5.3 billion enterprise that
includes not only its medical school and hospital, but also Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, Lancaster General Health, Penn Wissahickon Hospice, and Pennsylvania Hospital as well as affiliated inpatient care facilities.

University of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Ralph W. Muller commented in a press release, “We are proud of this exciting opportunity to combine Princeton HealthCare’s strong reputation for providing excellent care in the community with Penn Medicine’s strengths as a national leader in complex and specialty care. Aligning with PHCS will offer new opportunities for Penn Medicine to expand our services in New Jersey, and enable a mutually beneficial relationship for patients by uniting options for close-to-home care with coordinated access to Penn Medicine’s world-class advanced medicine.”