Chicago area’s Rush, Little Company of Mary in deal to merge

Little Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers has signed a letter of intent to join Rush, the Chicago-based academic hub that’s been looking to bulk up.

The deal, which must be approved by state regulators, would shrink the number of stand-alone hospitals in the region even more.

Little Company is a small, longtime Catholic organization that’s been searching for a partner. The hospital will remain Catholic, while Rush’s three other hospitals will remain secular. Earlier this year, Rush rebranded to officially operate as one academic health system.