The Board of Directors for independent Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Jefferson Hills voted unanimously Tuesday not to merge with health giant UPMC Health System. "Although a merger with UPMC could result in significant merits for our medical center, remaining independent was clearly a better direction for the residents of the communities we serve," Jan R. Jennings, the hospital's president and chief executive, said in a statement. "The unanimous vote for independence by our board of directors sends a message to management that they are behind this decision 100 percent. " The two health systems began merger discussions last fall. Jefferson's board of directors then asked a nationally recognized health care consulting firm to evaluate the merits of a merger versus remaining independent. Along with the professional evaluation, the hospital's executives worked with employees, physicians, various insurers and members of the community, and together recommended to the board that the hospital remain independent. Jennings said several factors led to the decision. "Primary among them was our excellent medical staff, the depth and breadth of services we provide and will continue to provide and our strong financial position," he said. The two hospitals have been affiliated under an agreement signed in 1997. UPMC spokeswoman Jane Duffield said they do not comment on the decisions of other hospitals. Jefferson Regional Medical Center is a fully accredited, 353-bed, nonprofit, acute care facility.

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