UPMC sets sights on Ohio with acquisition of Trinity Health System

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) has reached a definitive agreement with CommonSpirit Health to acquire the Ohio-based network, according to a news release. The transaction, which is expected to close in fall 2026 pending regulatory approval, would mark UPMC’s latest step into the Midwest and expand its presence in the Ohio Valley. Discussions around the deal began in October 2025.

CommonSpirit, the owner of Trinity Health, is based in Chicago and operates more than 140 hospitals in 21 states, making it one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States.

The move comes as the system seeks to divest certain assets as part of a multiyear financial turnaround plan. While CommonSpirit has recently operated at a loss, Trinity Health System reported a strong fiscal year, recently opening a 20,000-square-foot "micro-hospital" in St. Clairsville that features trauma rooms and a six-bed inpatient unit.

"Trinity Health System and UPMC share a commitment to providing top-tier care and serving the most vulnerable members of our community,” Dwayne Richardson, interim president of Trinity Health System, said in the news release. "UPMC's proven track record of community service and compassionate approach to care were key factors in our decision and will significantly benefit our patients."

UPMC is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, employing approximately 100,000 people across 40 hospitals and 800 outpatient sites. Its affiliated health plan serves roughly 3.8 million members.

While rooted in Pennsylvania, UPMC has expanded nationally into Maryland, New York and West Virginia. Their international reach includes Italy, Ireland and China.

The addition of Trinity would extend that reach into eastern Ohio. The system serves roughly 200,000 patients and operates four hospitals: Trinity West and Trinity East in Steubenville, Trinity St. Clairsville Neighborhood Hospital in Clairsville and Trinity Twin City Medical Center in Dennison, Ohio.

The integration is one of the latest healthcare changes in the tri-state area, following a similar regional trend where Weirton Medical Center joined the West Virginia University Health System in 2025.

“At the heart of this integration is the enduring commitment of both teams to deliver compassionate, high-quality clinical care and exceptional community services to the Ohio Valley,” Leslie Davis, president and CEO of UPMC, also said in the news release. “We appreciate CommonSpirit Health’s thoughtful diligence in choosing UPMC for the transfer of Trinity Health System. We look forward to a bright future ahead for our patients and community.”

The deal comes amid a broader wave of consolidation across the healthcare industry, according to national hospital data and industry groups.

The shift has been dramatic: the share of hospitals operating independently has fallen from roughly 90% in 1970 to about 32% in 2019. More recent activity suggests that trend is continuing, as health systems pursue scale to better manage costs and negotiate with payers.

Prior to the Trinity Health acquisition, in March 2026, UPMC acquired Pennsylvania Gastroenterology, a gastrointestinal and digestive health services provider in central Pennsylvania.

As of calendar year 2024, the operating revenue of UPMC is $30 billion.