Verdugo Hills Hospital in merger talks

Verdugo Hills Hospital officials confirmed Wednesday that the 158-bed Glendale hospital is in merger discussions with larger medical groups in the region.

Spokeswoman Celine Petrossian said in a statement that Verdugo Hills has been approached by other hospitals and medical groups and is exploring “strategic opportunities for affiliation and partnerships that would improve our ability to meet the challenges of healthcare reform.”

She declined to comment on who the potential merger partners or affiliates are. The hospital, which opened in 1972, is independently owned and serves residents of Glendale and foothill communities from Sunland and Tujunga to La Cañada Flintridge.

“Securing our future insures good stewardship of our responsibility to our donors, our physicians, and our hospital staff, but most importantly, it strengthens our ability to serve our patient community,” Petrossian stated.

-- Daniel Siegal, Times Community News

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