backKing & Spalding advised Lehigh Valley Health Network on its planned combination with Jefferson to create a leading integrated health care delivery system, including an expanded not-for-profit health plan. The combined organization will be well-situated to increase access to high-quality and affordable care, clinical research, and health plan offerings, and to address health inequities in communities throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. As a $12.6 billion combined model integrated health care system, Jefferson and LVHN will have an expanded care footprint with over 700 sites in the region – including 30 hospitals and support by more than 62,000 employed faculty, clinicians and staff. The parties expect to sign a definitive agreement and close the transaction in 2024, pending completion of all necessary regulatory reviews and customary closing conditions. Both Jefferson and LVHN will continue to operate as separate, independent entities until the combination closes.
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is a nationally ranked premier health system with 20,000 colleagues and a rich legacy of providing patient-focused high quality care. Based in Allentown, LVHN is a five-time Magnet designated hospital system, serving a dynamic and growing region with the third largest population in the state of Pennsylvania. The health network includes 13 hospital campuses (four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Dickson City, one in Lehighton) and is home to The Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. LVHN cares for more than a million community members through its robust network of 29 health centers; more than 300+ primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations, including the area's only Children's ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. The LVHN Health Institutes deliver cutting-edge specialty care including: trauma and burn care for adults and children; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center; and one of the nation’s leading providers of advanced robotic surgery. LVHN’s academic programs include a regional medical school campus, nursing school, and extensive graduate medical education offerings in more than 35 specialties.
The King & Spalding team advising Lehigh Valley Health Network on the combination was led by Robert Cooper, Richard Zall, Hershel Wancjer, Kimberly Rai, and Brittany Tandy.