Einstein Healthcare Network expected to merge with Thomas Jefferson

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Einstein Healthcare Network says it's merging with the Thomas Jefferson University Health System.

The union that represents Einstein nurses confirms it's merging with Jefferson and says it's looking forward to building a relationship there.

The Einstein Healthcare Network owns Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Einstein Montgomery Medical Center, Elkins Park Medical Center and Moss Rehab

Nurses at Einstein's main campus in Philadelphia are represented by PASNAP, the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals. The nurses formed their union to improve staffing and other work conditions at the hospital. They said they look forward to building a relationship with the newly merged employer and hope that administration will continue to invest in patient care through staffing improvements.

"Our primary concern as bedside nurses is making sure that Einstein is staffed appropriately so that patients get the care they need and deserve," said Patrick Kelly, Medical ICU RN and co-president of Einstein Nurses United. "Through our union contract, we won standards to help ensure that we have staffing that allows us to deliver quality patient care. We look forward to working with new ownership to continue to improve our hospital for our patients and the community we serve."

The official announcement is expected to be made Wednesday at 10 a.m.