Sharon Hospital, currently part of a seven-hospital system operated by Nuvance Health, may become part of a 28-hospital system under Northwell Health if an agreement between Northwell and Nuvance is approved by regulators.
NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. — Nuvance Health will combine with Northwell Health, the largest health provider in New York state, to form a 28-hospital system that spans the New York-Connecticut border, the two organizations announced Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Before the agreement is finalized, it must be approved by New York, Connecticut and the Federal Trade Commission.
Nuvance Health, based in Danbury, Connecticut, operates seven hospitals in western Connecticut and Dutchess County, including Sharon Hospital and Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, while Northwell, based in New Hyde Park, operates 21 hospitals and nearly 900 outpatient facilities. According to Northwell, its 85,000 employees also make the system the largest private employer in New York state.
“This partnership opens a new and exciting chapter for Northwell and Nuvance and provides an incredible opportunity to enhance both health systems and take patient care and services to an even higher level,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health, in a statement.
Nuvance Health, has been struggling financially. At Sharon Hospital, which loses some $20 million annually, Nuvance hoped to cut losses by closing the maternity ward, which it said loses $3 million a year. Its application to close the unit was denied by Connecticut in February.
Sharon Hospital’s losses are not unique in the Nuvance network. Nuvance as a whole, apart from a $6 million net gain in 2021, has been operating at annual net losses of eight and nine figures since its formation in 2019.
Last summer, its outstanding debt was downgraded again by S&P and by Moody’s; Moody’s noted that Nuvance’s “next several quarters” would be “pivotal.” For its fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023, Nuvance posted a net loss of $121.5 million.
In a statement, Dr. John M. Murphy, president and CEO of Nuvance Health, said that “By joining forces with Northwell Health, we are taking a giant leap forward in our shared mission to enhance the quality, accessibility and equity of the health care we provide to our communities.”
In their joint announcement, the two companies stated that “Northwell will make significant investments in Nuvance Health,” and that the “integration” would create more, and better, health care jobs.
Asked what this means in Sharon, Sharon Hospital CEO Christina McCulloch noted that “the details of what will happen, if all gets approved” and the Nuvance system becomes part of Northwell Health, “are yet to be determined.” But, she said, “Northwell has agreed to invest in all of the [Nuvance] hospitals if this does come to be” and if the deal gets approved, the agreement will strengthen SH’s ability to provide care.”
“The news of Nuvance’s merger into Northwell Health comes at a time of general consolidation of healthcare systems across our state,” observed state Rep. Maria Horn (D-64).
“I understand the financial challenges Nuvance has been facing,” said Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding, whose district includes New Milford and Sharon. He continued: “I am encouraged to hear that ‘patient-facing’ jobs are not in jeopardy. I am also encouraged to hear that key investments will be made and that health care access will be increase.”
Harding added: “however, like many, I have significant concerns for myself and my fellow neighbors in the 30th Senate District. Ensuring that existing medical services in our local hospitals remain fully open and operational, particularly Sharon Hospital’s Labor and Delivery Unit, is of the utmost importance to me, and I hope it remains of utmost importance to Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy as they review this merger.”
McCulloch noted that the arrangement between Nuvance and Northwell is not legally considered a merger or an acquisition but an “agreement.”
Also noting Nuvance’s financial difficulties, District 19 Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago said he hoped that this deal would end Nuvance’s attempts to cut services at Sharon Hospital. He also said that he hopes that it will improve the hospital’s ability to attract and retain staff and medical talent to better serve the community.
“I do worry that typically consolidation drives cost up and quality down,” he said. “I’m cautiously optimistic.”
Horn shared: “In my conversations with Sharon Hospital leadership, it has been suggested that the significant resources of the new system will lead to increased support for Sharon Hospital and the community it serves. I look forward to learning about the system’s strategic commitment to Sharon Hospital specifically, and look forward to a public process at which these questions can be addressed.”
Nuvance and Northwell describe an “integrated healthcare system.” The organizations say that the deal will grant “local communities” access to “coordinated care across western Connecticut, the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island.” They also promise that both Northwell and Nuvance will “continue to provide care to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay.”
The terms of the deal, which is still subject to state and federal approval, are not clear for Sharon Hospital, said McCulloch.
Amy Forni, a spokeperson for Nuvance Health, said that Nuvance expects to be filing for approval for the agreement in the coming months.
McCulloch noted that the regulatory and approval process could, Nuvance estimates, take a year or more.
1909 — Sharon Hospital is founded in a rented house by Dr. Jerome Chaffee.
1916 — A new building opens with 16 beds and three nurses.
1947 — Dr. Chaffee dies.
2002 — The nonprofit hospital is purchased by Essent Healthcare of Tennessee, becoming the first for-profit hospital in the state. A group called Save the Hospital was formed to protest the sale.
2011 — Essent Healthcare merges with RegionalCare Hospital Partners, also based in Tennessee.
2016 — Health Quest takes over Sharon Hospital from Essent and it becomes a nonprofit again.Health Quest was formed from the merger of three hospitals: Vassar Brothers in Poughkeepsie; Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck; and Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel.
2019 — Health Quest merges with Western CT Health Network, with hospitals in Danbury, Norwalk and New Milford, to become Nuvance Health.
2024 — Nuvance Health announced plan to join nonprofit hospital system Northwell Health.
CANTON — Luigina A. Dzenutis, 91, of Canton, died peacefully on Jan. 16, 2025, in her home. She was the wife of the late Peter A. Dzenutis Sr.
Luigina was born in Bronx, New York, on May 17, 1933, the daughter of the late Jack and Medie (Tonelli) Grecco.
Luigina’s life was full of family, friends and celebrations. She enjoyed her last Christmas season surrounded by everyone she loves, singing and dancing her way through December.
Luigina is survived by her seven sons; Peter Jr., John, Ralph, David, Stanley, Thomas and Rah; and four daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Ann and Luiginia. She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren; Jolene, Sherri, Cassie, Michael, Britney, Nicholas, Gabriela, Sydney, Page, Terry, Kaitlyn, Zachary, Jacob, Maximilliam, Gabriel and Luigina, along with thirteen great-grandchildren; Payton, Aubrey, Aman Jr., Carmela, Landon, Hailey, Hayden, Jayden, Grayson, Malia, Bennett, Rowen and Landon Jr.
Besides her husband, Peter, of 69 years she was predeceased by a son, Michael and grandson Aman.
Luigina leaves behind a legacy of stories and memories to be told by her 11 remaining children and a multitude of grand and great-grand children, nieces and nephews.
Members of her community, and friends of the family, may pay their respects at Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon, CT, Jan. 22 from 4 p.m to 6 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, NY on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery. The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
MILLERTON — Donald Francis “Frank” McNally Jr., passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025, after a short illness. Frank was a resident of Millerton since 1996. He was born on Jan. 27, 1955, in Cold Spring, New York, at Butterfield Hospital and was raised in Garrison, New York, where he enjoyed exploring and camping in the wilderness of the Hudson Valley, participating in the Boy Scouts as a bugler, and competing as captain of his high school wrestling team.
He was a graduate of James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls class of ‘74 and SUNY Cobleskill class of ‘76 where he majored in animal husbandry, specializing in equine science. He then proudly volunteered for the United States Peace Corps where he accepted an assignment to his host country of the Philippines, where he met his wife. Frank would then pursue his lifelong passion for horses and horseback riding on several horse farms in Dutchess County. Later he would work for New York state where he would then retire, spending his time caring for animals, reading, fishing and taking photographs. Frank enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends, while also occasionally winning a game of RISK. Frank was an avid reader, often reading several books a week while in the constant company of his cat.
Frank is survived by his wife and best friend, Paz (Alpez) McNally who resides in Millerton, and two sons, Patrick A. McNally and Philipp F. McNally; his daughter in-law, Erin McNally and his beloved grandchildren, Jack and Lila who brought him immeasurable joy in his life. Frank is also survived by his sister, Mary R. (McNally) Gutierrez and her husband Victor and their son Juan, and his brother, Daniel McNally Sr., and his daughter Jacqueline and son Daniel Jr. He was predeceased by his father Donald F. McNally Sr. and his mother Jacqueline (Adams) McNally.
There are no calling hours. At Frank’s request, cremation has taken place at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery in Poughkeepsie. A celebration of Frank’s life will take place in the spring. Memorial Contributions may be made to the NorthEast–Millerton Library, P.O. Box 786, Millerton, NY 12546 or to a local animal shelter of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. To send an online condolence to the family or to plant a tree in Frank’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
NORFOLK — Florence Eugenia Cooper died on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 92 at Geer Lodge in Canaan, Connecticut where she had been a resident for 2 ½ years. She also spent a couple of days a week at the home of her daughter, the artist Hilary Cooper and her husband Chris Crowley, in Lakeville.
Florence (neé Muhas) was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Greek immigrants. She went to local public schools and then to college at Barnard where she was mentored by Professor of Religion Ursula Niebuhr, wife of the philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr, who urged her to go to her alma mater St Hugh’s College, Oxford University where she earned a D. Phil degree. Later, she received an M.A. in foreign policy with a specialty in China, at the London School of Economics.
Florence met her future husband, Kenneth Cooper, a Diplomatic Courier, in Athens where she was visiting and he was passing through. Ken grew up in Kansas, served in submarines at the end of World War II, and graduated from the University of Kansas under the G.I. Bill. Shortly after his marriage to Florence in 1958, he became a Foreign Service Officer and served as such for the rest of his professional life. His service brought the family to Frankfurt, Belgrade, Karachi, London, Washington D.C., Manila and finally Hong Kong. Their sixty-year marriage was the center and the joy of both their lives from the start to Ken’s death in 2018. Florence was bookish and a little shy. Ken had an easy social charm. They both had wonderful senses of humor. They had two children, Hilary, born in late 1958, and Christopher “Topher”, born in 1960.
Florence wanted to work but that was not so easy in the 1960s and 70s, even for a gifted and lavishly educated woman. During the Washington assignment she searched for a job in vain (how many words can you type per minute was the usual question.) At the suggestion of a friend, she met with a remarkable woman who had started the Women’s Rights Movement, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Through that organization she found work at the State Department. When Ken was posted to Manila, she was given a commission as a consular officer issuing visas, often to young brides of servicemen at Subic Naval and Clark Air bases. She also ran the fraud unit which was a colorful challenge.
The single and central sadness of their lives was the loss of Topher of a traumatic brain injury in 2004. Shortly afterwards the couple moved to Norfolk to be near Hilary, opening a new chapter in their lives. One day Hilary brought Florence along to the Yale Art School community drawing group run by Sam Messer, who immediately gave her a pad and pencil. Florence demurred, and he said, “either you draw or take your clothes off and model!” She started drawing and never stopped, also becoming a sculptor. The drawing group and the Yale Norfolk community were a central joy and she and Hilary continued to attend sessions right up until last summer.
WEST CORNWALL — Frederick Ralph Scoville II, 72, of 243 Town St., died Jan. 7, 2025, at the Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Fred was the husband of 45 years to Lynn (Pollard) Scoville. Fred was born in Torrington, son of the late Ralph and Thalia (Hicock) Scoville.
Fred spent his whole life in West Cornwall. He attended Cornwall Consolidated and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The only time he left was to attend the University of Connecticut for animal science. After school he came home to work with his father on the family farm taking over full-time in 1996 milking dairy cattle and selling hay. His life passion was the farm. He could always be found tinkering on equipment or surveying the neighborhood on his golf cart. The only thing that rivaled the farm was his love of his family. His wife, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren meant the world to Fred.
After changing the farm from a dairy operation to all beef in 2006, Fred went to work for the Town of Cornwall Public Works, where he got to keep up on the town chatter. He was a founding member of the Cornwall Agricultural Commission and looked forward to the local Ag Fair each year. His expertise in judging maple syrup was unparalleled! He was regularly seen around town giving “sage” advice to many local farmers.
In addition to his wife, Fred will be deeply missed by his sons, Stephen and Frederick R. Scoville III (Katherine) of West Cornwall. His sisters: Grace Kanderfer (Peter) of New Hartford; Eliza Cleaveland of Bloomfield; and Maria Bonetti (Walter) of East Canaan. Fred leaves behind his two grandchildren, Abbé Lynn and Frederick Ralph Scoville IV of West Cornwall. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Fred was predeceased by his infant sister, Priscilla, brother and sister-in-law Ralph and Marta Scoville of Denville, New Jersey.
Funeral services will be held on Jan. 18, 2025, at the West Cornwall Meeting House at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.
The family has requested that you come as you are and the way Fred knew and loved you. No fancy dress, no need to impress, just come as YOU.
Memorial donations in Fred’s memory may be sent to the Cornwall Agriculture Advisory Committee Scholarship Fund, 26 Pine Street West Cornwall, CT 06796. Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St. Canaan, CT 06018.
