UPMC plans to invest $300 million in Washington Health System over the next ten years as part of its merger, officials said Wednesday during an event to celebrate the affiliation.

“I think it’s just gonna be … great because the UPMC name, in the medical field, is world renowned. We have that in smalltown America now. How do you not get excited about that?” said Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess.

The acquisition, announced a year ago, became official June 1.

As part of Wednesday’s event, several UPMC and WHS officials spoke about the positive prospects of the affiliation and local police conducted a UPMC flag raising outside the building.

The acquisition comes two months after UPMC announced workforce cuts.

In April, UPMC said it would cut roughly 1% of its 100,000-member workforce systemwide. The layoffs involved primarily non-clinical administrative jobs.

Washington Health System has been operating for over 127 years and is the largest employer in Washington County and Greene County. The system has added 2,700 employees as part of the affiliation, officials said.

“Our employees are at the heart of what makes our organization so successful,” UPMC CEO and President Leslie Davis said.

Washington Health System annually provides health care to over 15,000 inpatients and over 310,000 outpatients along with 195,400 wellness center check-ins.

“It’s been clear how deeply you care about your employees and your community. And together, we will carry on that culture of caring in our next chapters as UPMC, Washington,” Davis said.

Despite initial skepticism about the merger, Burgess said he hopes it will provide Washington residents with personal and positive experiences.

Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington, said officials are working to determine what areas of the hospital the money will fund.

“As we finish … integration planning with UPMC we’ll know then where we’re going to expand services; not only by location, but what service line and that will help fuel where we invest in further jobs, further locations and further facilities and technology,” Ward said.

John Six, vice president of medical affairs at UPMC Washington, is hopeful that the money will be used to maintain inpatient and emergency care. He said he would like to see advancements in cardiovascular care, surgical services, women’s health and pediatrics.

“All the things that we as consumers, that my parents and my children need, here in the community,” Six said.

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