OHS hears case for Nuvance’s merger with Northwell

OHS hears case for Nuvance’s merger with Northwell
Riley Klein

HARTFORD — The Connecticut Office of Health Strategy held a Certificate of Need hearing on the proposed merger between Northwell Health and Nuvance Health Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Nuvance, parent company of Sharon Hospital, is seeking to merge with Northwell, the largest private health care system in New York state, primarily for financial stability. Nuvance has reported a deficit of $99 million in 2024 and is in need of a partner to survive.

“The risks of trying to pull this off as a standalone system are simply too great,” said Nuvance CEO John Murphy.

Murphy said Northwell was chosen from an initial pool of 25 potential partners. Northwell has had success reviving struggling hospitals in the past and claims to have never closed down a hospital.

He said Northwell “demonstrated a willingness to make a significant capital commitment” to Nuvance’s seven hospitals in Western Connecticut and New York’s Hudson Valley. Murphy praised Northwell’s “distinguished history of turning hospitals around that were facing financial distress.”

If the merger is approved, Northwell will become the parent company of Nuvance Health. Nuvance’s board of directors would continue to oversee its hospitals, but six new board members would be added from Northwell’s team. Northwell will oversee approval of capital and operating costs.

Northwell CEO Michael Dowling explained his organization’s values: “We want to be the best place to receive care and the best place to work.”

Northwell described a model of assimilating cultures with the hospitals it takes over, focusing on engagement with the staff to attract new professionals and minimize turnover.

Dowling said Northwell’s health care network serves more than two million individuals annually and offers medical care from birth to the end of life.

Northwell currently operates 23 hospitals and more than 900 care locations. More than 85,000 individuals are employed by Northwell.

“We are not a hub and spoke system,” said Dowling. “We have a record of expanding care as needed in each local community. We believe in providing care as close to where people live as possible as long as it can be done safely and with the highest quality.”

The community-driven group Save Sharon Hospital was granted intervener status for the Nov. 6 hearing and expressed support for the merger between Nuvance and Northwell.

Sharon Hospital’s Dr. Howard Mortman, labor and delivery specialist since 1991, stated his trust in Northwell to “do what is right for Sharon Hospital and our community.”

Northwell representatives have visited Sharon to meet with the community group several times in the past year to discuss concerns and goals for the future of rural healthcare in the Northwest Corner.

“They do not plan to cut any services and instead plan to grow services at Sharon Hospital,” said Mortman. “[Northwell] has shown they greatly care about Sharon Hospital.”

Dr. David Kurish of Sharon Hospital spoke in favor of Northwell’s plans to increase intensive care services. In 2023, Nuvance applied for a certificate of need to replace the ICU with a progressive care unit.

Kurish said Northwell’s pledge will “lead to fewer patients being transferred” from Sharon Hospital.

Overwhelmingly positive remarks filled the public comment session of the hearing.

State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) said, “This affiliation is in the best interest of my constituents.” She felt Northwell demonstrated an “impressive record” of investing in community hospitals and praised its commitment to engaging with stakeholders.

Sharon Hospital board chair Richard Cantele said he supported the merger because “hospitals are the cornerstone of our communities” and Northwell will preserve “a long-term future for Nuvance Health and Sharon Hospital.”

Following public comment the hearing was closed. The Office of Health Services will review the filings before making a ruling on the certificate of need.

Latest News

Robin Lee Roy

FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.

She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.

Keep ReadingShow less
Marjorie A. Vreeland

SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.

At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rafael A. Porro

SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.

Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Roger D. Ovitt

TORRINGTON — Roger D. Ovitt, 91, of 35 Berry St. Torrington, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.He was the husband of Barbara (Webb) Ovitt of Torrington.Roger was born June 28, 1934 in Amenia, New York, son of the late Ronald and Edna Lucy (King) Ovitt.

Roger had worked for 36 years as a crusher operator for the former Pfizer Corporation in Canaan. After retiring from Pfizer in 1992, Roger joined his brother, Brian, and began a new career as a house painter. Roger enjoyed this venture with his brother.He was an avid fisherman.Roger also loved to garden.He took great pride in the flowers and vegetables that he raised.

Keep ReadingShow less