Sparrow Health System to join Michigan Medicine in new partnership

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Sparrow Health System will join Michigan Medicine, formerly the University of Michigan Health System, in a new partnership.

The announcement was made Thursday afternoon. Together, they will become one of the largest healthcare organizations in the state, valued at more than $7 billion with more than 200 sites. The agreement is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023.

Sparrow said they will be able to have their own board’s control of the health system and each of its affiliate hospitals.

Sparrow Health System is Mid-Michigan’s largest health system. It operates six hospitals in Ionia, Ingham, Clinton, Eaton and Montcalm counties.

In addition to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan Medicine includes dozens of health centers across Metro Detroit and Mid-Michigan.

Sparrow president James Dover said patients won’t notice many changes.

“I think the only change that they’ll notice is better access to more specialty care,” Dover said.

It’s not the first collaboration between the health systems, Sparrow has had a partnership with the University of Michigan for its C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Sparrow said that there are no layoffs anticipated as part of their integration with Michigan Medicine.

Sparrow Health created a website with frequently asked questions regarding the new partnership. It can be found here.

Further details are expected to be revealed during a press conference Friday morning.

Update: Sparrow, University of Michigan Health detail partnership announcement

The executive committee of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital - Michigan Nurses Association released the following statement regarding the partnership:

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