WVU Medicine picks up another health system

WVU Medicine is acquiring a South Charleston, W.Va., health system, bringing to 19 the total number of hospitals operated by the rapidly growing Morgantownbased health system. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approval. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The West Virginia University Health System, which is branded WVU Medicine, acquired Thomas Health System, made up of Thomas Memorial Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Thomas Health Physician Partners. St. Francis will become the state’s first full-service orthopedic hospital while many of St. Francis’ traditional hospital services shift to Thomas Memorial, including critical and emergency care. WVU Medicine, which has a hospital and doctors in Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland counties in Pennsylvania, is West Virginia’s biggest health system and employer.