PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Jefferson Health, the health care behemoth that last year acquired Lehigh Valley Health Network, is exploring options to move its headquarters out of Philadelphia, according to published reports.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday that the nonprofit health system has no immediate plans for moving, but Chief Executive Officer Joseph Cacchione said he has spoken with Mayor Cherelle Parker about the possibility.
The Philadelphia Business Journal first reported the potential relocation Thursday.
The Inquirer reported Cacchione declined to say where Jefferson might be considering a new headquarters, but said Jefferson will continue to have a “strong presence” in the city.
“One of the things we have to think about, as much as I hate to say it, is does it make sense for our headquarters to be" in Center City, Cacchione told the newspaper.
“One of the things we have to think about, as much as I hate to say it, is does it make sense for our headquarters to be (in Center City).”Jefferson Health CEO Joseph Cacchione
The largest health system in the Philadelphia area, Jefferson has a total of 32 hospitals, 700 outpatient sites and 65,000 employees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey after completing the acquisition of Lehigh Valley Health Network last year.
The move broadened Jefferson Health’s reach as the health system took on LVHN’s 20,000 employees and 13 hospital campuses immediately north of Philly and its suburbs.
There was no immediate word on whether the Lehigh Valley might be considered as a potential landing spot.
Jefferson and LVHN completed the acquisition last Aug. 1after months of planning.
According to the Inquirer, Jefferson's Center City headquarters at 1101 Market St. employs about 2,000 and is in the middle of a 16-year lease on the high-rise.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
