Moon Township, PA, (January 23, 2012) – Effective January 1, 2012, Heritage Valley Health System’s two largest physician practice organizations, Tri-State Medical Group, Inc. and Sewickley Valley Medical Group, Inc. have consolidated into one organization, Heritage Valley Medical Group, Inc.

The new organization, comprised of 124 employed physicians located in 50 offices throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, includes family practice and internal medicine physicians as well as specialists in cardiology, geriatrics, rheumatology, general surgery, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, pulmonary, endocrinology, physiatry, gastroenterology, vein medicine and electrophysiology. Heritage Valley Medical Group will be governed by a 16-person board of directors made up of physicians and non-physician members and co-chaired by Stephanie Perry, MD and Jay Zdunek, DO.

“The consolidation of physicians into Heritage Valley Medical Group enables us to develop a more unified approach to patient care as well as better track standards of care that result in improved quality, safety and customer satisfaction outcomes for our patients,” said Stephanie Perry, MD, internist with Heritage Valley Medical Group’s Internal Medicine Associates office in Ambridge, PA.

“The name ‘Heritage Valley Medical Group’ will reassure our patients and those considering coming here that we are associated with one of the best community health systems in the region,” added Jay Zdunek, DO, family medicine physician located at the Heritage Valley Medical Group offices in Midland, PA and East Liverpool, OH.

The organizational change is seamless for patients who do not need to make any changes with insurers. In addition to traditional office practice hours, many Heritage Valley Medical Group physicians have privileges at both the Sewickley and Beaver campuses of Heritage Valley. Signage and communications with patients will reflect the Heritage Valley Medical Group name in the near future.

“Heritage Valley Health System is in its sixteenth year and among the most well-positioned health systems to weather the continued uncertainties of the economy and healthcare reform,” said Laura Wagner, Vice President of Physician Practices for Heritage Valley Health System. “In order to further the evolution of our integrated delivery network, this consolidation will allow us to be more effective and efficient as we continue to offer high quality health care in our communities.”