United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia is now a full affiliate of the recently formed Rochester Regional Health System.
The partnership became official on January 1. Plans for the affiliation were first announced in February 2014.
Officials at the Genesee County hospital say even though United Memorial is financially stable, changes in health care present long-term challenges for independent rural health care providers. The partnership follows a nationwide trend among hospitals and health care systems.
Under the new agreement, United Memorial will continue to offer medical and acute care for patients in Batavia. The hospital will keep its name and maintain a local board.
The two health care institutions worked together previously to open a Cancer & Infusion Center at United Memorial. Since 2008, they have collaborated in services such as Cardiology, Pathology, Surgery, Urology and Gastroenterology.
