Schuylkill Medical Center, Pottsville, will partner with Lehigh Valley Health Network.

The medical center, a merged entity of the former Pottsville and Good Samaritan hospitals, plans to release details of the partnership Thursday.Members of Service Employees International Union Health of Pennsylvania were pleased that an announcement was finally made.Members of the union approach Schuylkill County commissioners last month, asking them to press officials for more transparency and inclusion in negotiating the partnership."We are excited to work with Lehigh Valley Health Network" Licensed Practical Nurse Karen Haas said in a prepared statement released Wednesday by SEIU."As the people who work directly with patients, we know what this community wants and needs from their hospital. We look forward to the opportunity to sit down with this new partner and talk about how we can ensure the best possible care and service continues," Haas said.SEIU said that Schuylkill Medical Center president Marc Lory made the announcement via a memo handed out to hospital departments Wednesday morning."There has been a lot of stress with the uncertainty hanging over us," said Medical Center housekeeper Mary Schatz. "Not just for us, but for friends, neighbors, the whole area. The community wants to be sure that we keep vital services, like the emergency room and obstetrics, and also that Schuylkill Medical Center continues to be a source of good union jobs. Schuylkill County needs quality, family-sustaining jobs. It's a real concern for folks here."Workers have organized a public Town Hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4 at the Ramada Inn, Pottsville.The meeting is designed for all the stakeholders -- coworkers, community, management - to come together to discuss what successful and quality hospital care should be in Schuylkill County."We hope Lehigh Valley comes to the town hall (meeting) so they can get input from the people we serve," said hospital cook Brian Symons. "Working together, I know we can create an even better hospital."Good Samaritan Hospital and Pottsville Hospital, both in Pottsville, joined in 2008, becoming Schuylkill Health. The two buildings continue to operate as Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street (the former Pottsville Hospital) and Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street (the former Good Samaritan Hospital).