Connecticut hears case for Northwell’s merger with Nuvance Health

Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut
Archive photo
Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut
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.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The residence at 35 Amenia Union Road in Sharon was damaged after being struck by the Jeep Grand Cherokee around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
SHARON, Conn. — Emergency crews were called Saturday, Oct. 11, to Amenia Union Road in Sharon for a report of a vehicle into a building with entrapment.
Connecticut State Police reported Charles Teti, 62, was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Amenia Union Road when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered across the southbound land and exited the roadway where it struck a tree and home. Airbags deployed.
Teti and front seat passenger Aidan Cassidy, 63, sustained serious injuries. Teti was airlifted to Hartford Hospital and Cassidy was transported by ambulance to Sharon Hospital for treatment.
Back seat passenger Shea Cassidy-Teti, 17, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. Cassidy-Teti was a senior at Kent School. He played on the football and tennis teams.
The residence that was struck is located at 35 Amenia Union Road.
The case remains under open investigation. Witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Lukas Gryniuk at Troop B 860-626-1821.