MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services and Sioux Falls-based Sanford Health have signed a non-binding letter of intent to combine and create a new mega health system.
The proposed merger would create one of the largest health care providers in the country.
Sanford is one of the largest rural health systems in the U.S. and Fairview is one of biggest in the Twin Cities.
The two health systems explored a possible merger in 2013 but the deal fell apart after concerns from state leaders over the control of the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
Fairview has over 80 primary and specialty care clinics, 31,000 employees and 11 hospitals -- including the U's medical center.
Sanford has 224 primary and specialty clinics, 47,000 employees and 47 hospitals.
"With Sanford Health, Fairview Health Services has found a partner that shares our Midwestern values and our commitment to affordable, accessible and equitable care delivery," said Fairview Health Services President and CEO James Hereford in a news release.
The governing boards of both health systems have approved the proposed merger and anticipate the deal will be done in 2023.
