Pocono Health System and Lehigh Valley Health Network announced Thursday they have signed a letter of intent to merge, subject to due diligence, the negotiation of definitive transaction documents, and appropriate regulatory approvals. The boards of directors of both organizations, in separate meetings, authorized the letter of intent.

"We believe that the residents of the Poconos region will greatly benefit from the merger of these two long-standing, high-quality health care systems," said Jeff Snyder, President and CEO of PHS. The combination of our two organizations will mean that Poconos residents will have greater access to the highest-quality clinical care in the region, the most qualified and capable physician network supported by the most sophisticated technology and advanced health records systems, all delivered locally through PMC, while being supported by the resources and scale of Lehigh Valley Health Network."

Brian Nester, LVHN's President and CEO, said the two organizations have a long history of productive partnerships in certain clinical areas, such as the affiliation to provide trauma and radiation oncology services to the region. He said together as a single, integrated system, they will accelerate steps to develop and grow additional, affordable health care services to best serve the community.

"We look forward to developing with PMC a hospital of the future that incorporates the highest level of clinical competence to provide the highest quality care close to home." Nester said in addition, LVHN looks forward to the opportunity to provide more integrated care to the Pocono region through population health management, which includes sharing a common electronic medical records system.

Pending completion of due diligence and regulatory approvals, the parties expect the proposed merger to take effect in the first half of 2016.

Pocono Medical Center is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year in East Stroudsburg. With more than 200 physicians and more than 1,850 staff members, it is one of Monroe County's oldest and largest employers, offering a full complement of clinical and acute care services for Monroe and surrounding communities. It holds an "A" rating from the Leapfrog Group, among the nation's premier advocates for patient safety.

Pocono Medical Center's ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute offers the full breadth and depth of cardiovascular services, including diagnostic cardiac catheterization, cardiac angioplasty, open-heart surgery, and minimally invasive heart procedures, as well as vascular surgery and cardiac rehabilitation services.

The Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center at PMC offers a variety of treatments and alternatives, including state-of-the-art radiation therapy equipment.

Pocono Medical Center is a fully accredited Level III Trauma Center.

Lehigh Valley Health Network includes four hospital facilities, two in Allentown, one in Bethlehem and one in Hazleton; 12 health centers caring for communities in five counties; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices throughout the region; and pharmacy, imaging, home health services and lab services.

Specialty care includes trauma care at the region's busiest, most-experienced trauma center treating adults and children, burn care at the regional Burn Center, kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer care, and neurology and complex neurosurgery capabilities, including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Children's Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital, the only children's hospital in the region, provides care in 28 specialties and general pediatrics.

Lehigh Valley Health Network has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for 19 consecutive years as one of America's Best Hospitals, and is a national Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing.